When facing the Connecticut Sun, the team with the best record in the WNBA, the Chicago Sky’s main goal was to remain competitive. For much of the game, that was the case.

Through three quarters, the Sky stayed with the Sun, leading by a few points or behind by a few points but never relenting. They did so by not only displaying tenacious defense against a powerful offense, but also through some spacious offensive play that led to good looks in the paint and on the perimeter. Chicago also was competitive in the battle of the boards.

Yet when the fourth quarter rolled around, the tide turned dramatically as the Sun got off on a 10-3 run that gave them a 68-55 advantage at the 7:12 minute mark, the largest lead of the game. The Sky turned the ball over four times in the quarter as their offense began to look out of sync and, in turn, their transition defense struggled. The Sky managed to close the gap to four, 79-75, via a Diamond DeShields 3-pointer with 28 seconds left. But Chicago then was forced to foul, allowing DeWanna Bonner to ice the game for the Sun at the free throw line.

Despite the 83-75 loss, the Sky once again overperformed against a formidable opponent. Some notable Chicago performances included:

Angel Reese

Not only did she come away with her fourth-career double-double (20 points and 10 rebounds), Reese shot 80 percent from the field and was perfect at the foul line (4-for-4). More than that, Reese became the first rookie this season to notch 100 points and 100 rebounds. She also held her own against the veteran Alyssa Thomas at both ends.

Kamilla Cardoso

Freed from playing limited minutes and given the responsibility of taking over for injured Elizabeth Williams in the post position, Cardoso was not to be denied. She scored 10 points, grabbed nine boards and had three emphatic blocks against the likes of Bonner and DiJonai Carrington.

Cardoso was also perfect from the foul line (4-for-4). After the game, she spoke about how she understands the importance of foul shots, particularly when Connecticut took more shots at the line (28 to 5), but she emphasized that her main objective is to score inside. “It was really important to make them (free throws) as you can see they shot way more free throws than us,” she said. “But I feel like my main focus was to go out there and make layups.”

Marina Mabrey

Mabrey all over the floor, ending up as the playmaker who did a little bit of everything. She came away with 10 points, six rebounds, five assists and three blocks.

Chennedy Carter

As always, Carter was full speed ahead coming off the bench. She was a major catalyst in sparking a Chicago 11-0 run in the first quarter when they were down 16-8. She would go on to finish with 10 points, three assists and three steals.

Diamond DeShields

The workhorse of the team who puts her body on the line had some big moments when the game was hanging in the balance. DeShields finished with a season high of nine points, shooting 50 percent from the field and 42 percent from the 3-point line, including the 3 that brought Chicago to the brink of a potential comeback in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter. She did all that while playing with an ankle issue. “Diamond is playing injured right now,” said head coach Teresa Weatherspoon. “We appreciate her being on the floor.”

Isabelle Harrison

Off the bench, Harrison was flawless—literally. She converted on every shot attempt (3-for-3) and finished with nine points, including a 3-pointer.

The Chicago Sky (4-7) will play the Washington Mystics (1-12) in DC on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET.

CONNECTICUT (WTNH) – Hartford, Meriden, and Waterbury are among the cities getting new electric vehicle charging stations, Governor Ned Lamont announced Thursday.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) selected nine applicants to build electric vehicle charging stations across the state. The conditional awards total more than $5 million.

This “phase 1” is meant to fill gaps in Connecticut’s federally-designated Alternative Fuel Corridors. The funding will support planning, constructing and operating EV supply equipment sites, at nine sites for a total of 45 charging ports.

The following locations were selected:

• Danbury – I-84 Exit 5 (17 Thorpe Street Extension)
• Hartford – I-91 Exit 33 (165 Leibert Road)
• Meriden – I-91 Exit 16 Northbound (1101 East Main Street)
• New Milford – Route 7 / Route 202 Intersection (61 Danbury Road)
• Plainfield – I-395 Northbound Service Plaza (1 Connecticut Turnpike East)
• Moosup – I-395 Exit 32 (12 South Main Street)
• Putnam – I-395 / Route 44 Intersection (50 Providence Pike)
• Waterbury – I-84 Exit 22 Westbound (105 Meriden Road)
• Willington – I-84 Exit 71 (327 Ruby Road)

Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said these conditional awards are moving the state closer to building more fast chargers.

“Having these spaced no more than 50 miles apart means drivers will not have to worry about where the universal fast charger will be. Part of our overall strategy of reducing carbon emissions from the transportation sector includes having reliable EV chargers where people are already stopping or traveling. Our NEVI program is helping us achieve those goals,” Eucalitto said.

Each charging site will not be more than a mile from the exit ramps along the Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFC) and each will have Level 3 EV charging stations with a minimum of four Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) ports.

There are currently almost 44,000 electric vehicles registered in the state and about 500 available DCFC ports.

More information on the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula (NEVI) program can be found on the Department of Transportation website.

A Connecticut restaurant stands out among 10 others of the same name with its stunning outdoor view and even a special patio menu that includes lobster rolls.

Wood-n-Tap in Farmington has a close-up view of the Farmington River, where outdoor guests can see deer, eagles, people fishing, kayaking, an occasional bear on the other side of the river, water rippling over stones and anything else nature might bring, said Phil Barnett, co-founder and co-CEO of Hartford Restaurant Group and its Wood-n-Tap restaurants.

“The view is beautiful,” Barnett said. “Our outdoor patio is well-known for its ambience, appearance and popularity as the place to meet friends and family with the Farmington River as a beautiful backdrop.”

Hartford Restaurant Group has nine Wood- n-Tap restaurants, including in Connecticut and one in Massachusetts. Another is slated to open in Groton later this year.

The Farmington restaurant, opened in 2019 at 1593 Farmington Ave. has a different look outdoors than all the others.

Barnett said his restaurant group owned a Wood-n-Tap nearby when the property on the river became available. They were planning upgrades at the former location, but decided instead to buy the riverfront parcel that long housed Apricot’s Restaurant.

The deciding factor to buy was the view, Barnett said. There was also more parking, he said.

The other location had a view of a pond.

Barnett said to maximize the location they more than quadrupled the outdoor space.

They can seat more than 100 people on patio, 40 on the deck, 40 on the grass, Barnett said.

There is also an outdoor bar and live acoustic music on Tuesdays.

Barnett said this is the time of year outdoor dining is popular, as it’s not cold, but not super hot either.

“It’s got a great feel to it. It’s lively, relaxing,” said Barnett, noting they’ve received awards for outdoor dining in the spot.

Even though it’s not the ocean, sitting outside near the water makes people want seafood, so they even came up with a special menu two years ago.

The special summer dining menu at the riverside includes steak, Connecticut lobster rolls; the Riverview Platter, with fried clam strips, shrimp and cod; Clams Casino Flatbread with garlic, peppers and bacon, Fajita Steak with Cubanelle peppers and onions; Sausage and Peppers, Island Bites; and Key Lime Pie.