Former Burnaby Jr. Laker Garrett Billings is having a Mann Cup to remember.
Billings is one of the stars of the Langley Thunder and he's notched 21 points - on 4 goals and 17 assists - in the first three games of the Mann Cup currently being held in Peterborough, Ont.
The Thunder took the first two games of the series, 13-12 on Sept. 7 and 15-14 in overtime on Sept. 9, before losing Game 3 14-10 on Sept. 10. Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday night.
The Thunder surprised the Lakers with the two opening wins, as former New Westminster Salmonbellie Athan Iannucci led the charge with a two-goal, six-point effort in Game 1 and a four-goal, seven-point effort in the second game. Iannucci trails Billings in scoring with 18 total points, including 10 goals, in the first three games of the series.
The stout Thunder defence has been led by a couple of former New Westminster Jr. Salmobellies, Brett Mydske and Matt MacGrotty, while former Burnaby Jr. Laker goalie Brodie MacDonald has flummoxed Lakers superstars John Tavares and John Grant Jr. with his intimidating size and quick reflexes. MacDonald has also chipped in offensively with four assists, all part of the Thunder's transition game.
Tavares has been limited to only one goal and eight total points in the first three games while Grant Jr. has 10 goals and 14 total points despite suffering a lower-body injury early in the series that he's continuing to play through.
Shawn Evans is leading the Lakers in scoring with 17 points, including four goals.
A Western Lacrosse Association team hasn't been successful in winning the Mann Cup out east since the New Westminster Salmonbellies pulled off the feat in 1986.
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