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Grant's 13-points in just two games at this year's Mann could be the start of some historical numbers. (Photo: Vintage Lax)

Game 1 of this year’s Mann Cup saw John Tavares set a new Canadian standard for all-time assists during Mann Cup competition. A night later during Game 2 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre, Tavares did it again, breaking Bill Wilson’s record for most career Mann Cup goals.

And while Tavares’ all-time goals (86), assists (94) and points (180) mark will probably take some time for someone to surpass, those numbers growing with every point he posts for the remainder of the Lakers series against the New Westminster Salmonbellies, his digits might not be the only ones the record books will need to make room for after the 2010 Mann Cup is put to bed.

While it’s likely impossible for any other career Mann Cup numbers to fall this year (outside of something really obscure), single series marks across the board look like they could see a new name in the books based on some player’s current point production.

The most goals ever scored during a Mann Cup series? While many series records are dominated by relatively recent Mann competitions, you’ve gotta go way, way back to catchup with history’s single series leading goal scorer. Alfred “Alfie” David, a former New West Bellie that was inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Famer during it’s opening class in 1965, scored an outstanding 22 times during the Salmonbellies series against the Orillia Terriers in 1934. Three-quarters of a century later and “Alfie’s” total still stands. Can it be challenged in 2010? While there has been some debate over the credit on one of his goals in Game 1, New West’s Cliff Smith currently, technically sits at six-snipes over the first two games of this year’s series. If Smith continues at his hat-trick per game average, an extremely tough feat Mann Cup or otherwise, over a full seven game series, he’d be right around David’s long standing record. Peterborough’s Tavares and Cory Vitarelli are currently tied for second in the G column, both with four finishes last week.

Most ever helpers? Josh Sanderson with the Brampson Excels in 2002 during an absolutely thrilling series against the Victoria Shamrocks, the Excelsiors taking it over a full seven. While John Grant Jr. has come the closest since then, posting 21-assists during both the 2006 & 2007 Cup, few if any have come near Shooter’s 26. This year? It’s actually Grant again, already with 10-assists in just two games against New West, Grant’s helper average would actually see him shatter Sanderson’s record if this year’s series goes the distance. Shawn Evans and Jordan Hall are also both on pace, the two forwards sitting at 8-assists after two.

In large part to those above mentioned assists, Sanderson also holds the record for most points in a single series too, same year obviously, 37-points against the Shamrocks in 2002. Grant again just behind him during those back-to-back Cups four and five summers later. Can anyone catch Shooter in this column this year? If anyone it’s Junior again, who already has 13-points in the first two Mann games this year, a pace that would see him push past Sanderson pretty easily.

Lots of lacrosse to go, all of the above only happening of course if this year’s Cup goes a full seven, something that actually is looking pretty likely while the Lakers and Bellies go stride-for-stride, currently locked at one.

Below, check out the single series leaders in all major offensive categories during a single Mann Cup year.

Picture provided by Tim Prothero at Vintage Lax. Check out www.VintageLax.com for more images from this year’s Mann Cup and beyond.

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