Sun Hold on for 88-83 Win Over Storm

By Bob Phillips

UNCASVILLE—Anyone wondering why this reporter often refers to the Seattle Storm as “UConn West” need only look at the Storm’s starting lineup last night: Breanna Stewart, Gabby Williams, Tina Charles and, of course, Sue Bird. That’s four former Huskies in the starting lineup. UConn West, indeed.

But the sellout crowd (9,137) at the Mohegan Sun Arena was there to bid adieu to one of their former Husky icons: Sue Bird. The 41-year-old Long Island native and future Hall of Famer, widely considered the best point guard in WNBA history, Bird entered the league in 2002 after winning two national championships with the Huskies and was likely making her final appearance as a player in the state she once considered “home.” And the way she started out—banging home her first three-point shots as Seattle raced out to an early 10-point lead, it looked early on that it was going to be her night—even though the Sun had won the first two meetings between the two teams. But even though Governor Ned Lamont declared the day to be “Sue Bird Day” in the Nutmeg State, the Sun had other ideas on how the night would play out.

In the end, led by a game-high 19-point effort from Alyssa Thomas, the Sun held on for a hard-fought 72-68 victory.

All five Storm starters scored in double digits: Williams (14), Stewart (10), Charles (14), Bird (14) and Jewell Lloyd (14). The Seattle bench, however, proved to be a non-factor as only eight points was put up by non-starters.

The Sun matched the Storm the double-digit parade. In addition to AT’s 19, Brionna Jones put in 13, DeWanna Bonner and Courtney Williams chipped in with 12 apiece, and DiJonai Carrington contributed 11 off the Connecticut bench. And Jonquel Jones just missed joining the Double-D club with a nine-point effort.

Charles added 10 rebounds for a double-double, while Alyssa Thomas had 10 assists for a double-double of her own.

The Sun trailed by three after the first quarter, but rallied to take a 44-40 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The game was hotly contested throughout the second half. A trey by Stewie tied the game at 79-79 with just under six minutes remaining in regulation. A put-back by JJ put the Sun up by two with 5:11 left, and Connecticut never looked back.

With Seattle up by a bucket, Courtney Williams hit a running layup to tie the game at 83 apiece. A three-pointer by Natisha Heideman (six points, three assists) gave the Sun the lead it would not relinquish with 2:42 remaining. Not that the Storm didn’t make things interesting.

Indeed, three missed shots by Stewart—two two-pointers and one trey—ultimately resulted in the Connecticut victory and a sweep of the three-game season series.

After the game, Bird was effusive in her praise for Connecticut fans—the best in women’s basketball. “A lot of times as a UConn player, I feel like the fans look at us like family, and they stay with us through our careers,” she said. “That's something that I treasure, something I've really enjoyed every time I came back here. So, tonight was a perfect way to end that. I would have preferred a win, but I'll take it.”

Next up for Connecticut will be a clash with the Eastern Conference-leading Chicago Sky, whom the Sun trail be 1.5 games, on Sunday. Tip-off is at 1 p.m. ET at the Mohegan Sun Arena, and the game will be televised on NBA-TV and NESN+. The Sun head to our nation’s capital where they will take on the Washington Mystics. Tip-off is at noon ET and the game will be televised on ESPN.

Sun Spots

* It was the Sun’s first sellout at the Mohegan Sun Arena since the 2019 WNBA Finals.

* Geno Auriemma watched the parade of former Huskies from a sky box.

* Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont declared Thursday ''Sue Bird Day'' in Connecticut. “[Bird] is a trailblazer, whose tenacity has elevated the sport of basketball. Connecticut is proud to be part of her journey,'' he tweeted.

* “I appreciate that [the Connecticut crowd] honor and welcome back the UConn players, but through and through they are Sun fans, and I appreciate that balance.”—Sun head coach and Curt Miller

AHL Announces 2022-23 Regular-Season Schedule

By Bob Phillips

SPRINGFIELD–The Hartford Wolf Pack, in conjunction with the American Hockey League, has announced the club’s full schedule for the 2022-23 AHL regular season. This will be the 26th season for the Wolf Pack, the AHL affiliate of the New York Rangers, commencing with a pair of road games against the division rival Charlotte Checkers on Friday, Oct. 14 (7 p.m.) and Saturday, Oct. 15 (6 p.m.). This marks the first time since the 2014-15 season that the Wolf Pack will start on the road. The Pack will host their home opener on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. when the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins come to town for the first of three visits on the season.

The club sees three new teams added to the schedule for the 2022-23 season. The Milwaukee Admirals, Grand Rapids Griffins, and Rockford IceHogs will all make rare appearances at the XL Center.

The Admirals come to town on Friday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. Milwaukee’s visit to Hartford will be just their second-ever, and the first since Feb. 14, 2003. The Griffins will visit Hartford on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. It’ll be their first appearance in the Connecticut capital since January 2, 2009. The IceHogs, meanwhile, come to the XL Center for the first time ever on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m.

Once again, the club hosts a home game on the day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 25. The Pack will take on the Hershey Bears that night with the first puck dropping at 7 p.m. The club is also home for the last game prior to the holiday break on Thursday, Dec. 23. That night, the ‘Battle of Connecticut’ rages on as the Bridgeport Islanders come to town for a 5 p.m. faceoff.

New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day will see the ‘I-91 Rivalry’ take center stage at the XL Center. The defending Eastern Conference Champion Springfield Thunderbirds roll into town on both December 31 (5:30 p.m.) and March 17 (7 p.m.).

The Pack closes out the 2022-23 regular season on Saturday, April 15, when they visit the Springfield Thunderbirds at 7:05 p.m. The home portion of the schedule concludes on Friday, April 14, when the Penguins return to Hartford for a 7 p.m. puck drop.

The full 2022-23 Hartford Wolf Pack schedule can be viewed here.

For tickets, visit www.hartfordwolfpack.com/tickets.

Bridgeport Islanders Info:

Connecticut’s other AHL team, the Bridgeport Islanders, will open the 2022-23 season with three road contests—two in Providence and one in Springfield—starting on Friday, Oct. 14 in Providence vs. the Bruins. The Islanders home opener will be on Saturday, Oct. 22, vs. the Laval Rocket. First puck drops at the Total Mortgage Arena at 7 p.m. More information on the home opener, as well as the Islanders’ promotional schedule, will be released soon. Meanwhile, what we do know is this: .”

*25 of the team’s 36 home games will be played on weekend dates.

*The home schedule includes 12 Saturday night games, six Sunday afternoon games and six Friday night contests.

*Bridgeport will face 12 different opponents at Total Mortgage Arena in 2022-23.

*62 of the 72 regular-season games (86.1%) are against Atlantic Division opponents.

*Home Games by Month: October (2), November (8), December (5), January (6), February (5), March (5), April (5) .”

For a printable version of the Islanders’ schedule, click HERE.

Season Ticket Memberships for the 2022-23 campaign are currently on sale, as are group tickets, offering discounted pricing along with exclusive benefits such as an opportunity to get a Bridgeport Islanders hat for every member of the group, recognition on the videoboard, and access to exclusive group outing experiences. For more information, please visit www.bridgeportislanders.com. Information on single-game ticket sales will be forthcoming soon.

Sun To Support Brittney Griner's Heart and Sole Shoe Drive

By Bob Phillips

UNCASVILLE—Today, the Connecticut Sun announced its involvement in BG's Heart and Sole Shoe Drive.

To support Brittney Griner as she endures detainment in Russia and to continue her legacy of care for her community, teams across the WNBA have been carrying on BG's Heart and Sole Shoe Drive. The Connecticut Sun have decided to take the drive a tad further, also encouraging and accepting donations of other necessities for unhoused people. In addition to the shoe and toiletry drive, the Connecticut Sun is hosting a 50/50 raffle. All donations will benefit the New London Homeless Hospitality Center.

Fans who would like to participate can donate new or gently worn shoes and toiletry products at the following Connecticut Sun home games: Thursday, July 28 vs. Seattle Storm; Sunday, July 31 vs. Chicago Sky; Tuesday, August 2 vs. Phoenix Mercury; and Thursday, August 4 vs. Phoenix Mercury. Collection bins will be at both entrances on the Mohegan Sun Arena concourse.

“"For years, BG has led with her heart through ‘BG's Heart and Sole Shoe Drive,’ and we are proud to be able to continue her work of helping others in their time of need,” said Connecticut Sun President Jen Rizzotti. “We hope that BG feels our love and support during this difficult time, and we hope that she comes home soon.”

The Connecticut Sun is celebrating its 20th Anniversary as a franchise this year. For additional information or to purchase tickets, visit https://sun.wnba.com/.