Evans closes in on Mann Cup record

Shawn Evans is three assists away from John Tavares’ Mann Cup record for career assists.

Evans entered the 2018 Mann Cup in second place with 99 assists, one ahead of former Lakers teammate John Grant Jr. Evans has recorded nine assists in the opening two games bringing him to 108 and within striking distance of Tavares’ 111.

Evans has also climbed from sixth in all-time points to fourth. His 11 points in two games, which leads the 2018 tournament, gives him 145 moving him past Colin Doyle (137) and Dan Dawson (138). The top three are Tavares (203), Grant Jr. (174) and Geordie Dean (161).

Older brother Scott Evans, who is now retired and dropped the ceremonial faceoff before Game 2, is seventh on the points list at 121.

Shawn’s 37 goals ranks 31st in Mann Cup history Tavares is the leaders with 92.

Chasing history

Shawn Evans has a chance to do something no player in Mann Cup history has ever done.

If Evans wins the Mike Kelley Trophy as Mann Cup MVP he would become the fourth player to win it three times but the first to do it all with one team.

John Tavares won in 1992 and ’93 with Brampton and ’96 with Six Nations. Anthony Cosmo won in 2005 with Victoria and ’08 and ’11 with Brampton. Moon Wootton won in 1950 with Owen Sound and ’51 and ’54 with Peterborough.

Evans won in 2010 and 2017.

Off-day plans

Former Laker Curtis Dickson told reporters he and a number of his Maple Ridge Burrards teammates planned a trip to the Toronto Blue Jays afternoon game against the Cleveland Indians for their off day on Sunday.

While in Peterborough Dickson said he also hopes to get in a visit to one of his favourite local spots, Milltown Mini Golf.

Roster notes

The Lakers floored an identical lineup for Game 2 as they did Game 1. Maple Ridge made two roster changes with Chase McIntyre and Travis Irving drawing into the lineup and Jeff Cornwall and Mitch McDole out.