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Jamie Lincoln (44) got back on track with his scoring, dropping a hat trick against Rochester on Saturday. (Photo: Ross Prohaska)

The top 2 scoring rookies heading into the weekend of National Lacrosse League action were a bit down in production, but both of their teams won so the guess here is they’re not crying too hard. Especially when 1 of those victories was Philadelphia’s big road win in Buffalo. Kevin Crowley still contributed there, and Adam Jones was as active as ever in Colorado’s home win, but they weren’t the only ones. The talent and diversity of this year rookie crop continues to shine and has even surprised, like with Minnesota goalkeeper Tyler Carlson coming out of nowhere to shut down the Buffalo Bandits. Who else did what this weekend?

Kevin Crowley (Philadelphia): The right-hander was 1-1 to up his season total to 9 goals and 7 assists for 16 points in the Wings’ big road win in Buffalo Friday night. His goal came in the first quarter but the helper was clutch in the fourth quarter, setting up Dan Dawson for the goal that tied the game, 10-10, and came in the middle of Philly’s 4-0 run that iced the win.

Adam Jones (Colorado): The left-hander had his lowest output of the season with a 1-1 game, but it came in a home win over Rochester. Both his points came in the first quarter when Colorado set the tone by scoring 4 of the first 5 goals. With 12-10 so far for 22 points, he’s the leading scorer among all rookies.

Jamie Lincoln (Colorado): After being held to 1 goal in his last 2 games, the left-hander rebounded with a 3-1 game in the home win over Rochester. He’s got 9 points on 7 goals and 2 assists.

Stephen Keogh (Rochester): The right-hander was 1-3 (on 10 shots) in Friday’s road loss to Toronto, then was 2-3 in the team’s road loss to Colorado on Saturday. He’s establishing his reliability, having scored 2 goals in 3 of his 4 games this season and has 18 points (7-11).

Jordan MacIntosh (Minnesota): One of the most versatile rookies was back in action after a bye week and he impressed. The right-hander had 1 goal and 3 assists, led the team with 19 loose balls and won 17 of 29 faceoffs in the Swarm’s home win over Buffalo. Two of his assists came in the first quarter and his goal in the third quarter gave the Swarm a commanding 14-5 lead.

Johnny Powless (Rochester): The youngster was 2-1 in Friday’s loss to Toronto, then had 1 goal in Saturday’s loss to Colorado. With 7 goals on 17 shots, the left-hander is emerging as one of the more reliable shooters in the NLL at 41%.

Corbyn Tao (Minnesota): The right-hander scored 3 goals on 5 shots in Saturday’s home win over Buffalo and also had 2 assists. His third goal was short-handed and it gave the Swarm a 16-5 lead in the third quarter.

Dan Coates (Colorado): The right-hander had 1 assist and 3 loose balls in Saturday’s home win over Rochester, the assist coming in the fourth quarter on a John Grant Jr. goal that gave the Mammoth a 12-9 lead after the Knighthawks pulled to within 11-9.

Tyler Carlson (Minnesota): The right-hander out of Brampton debuted with authority, making 39 saves on 50 shots in Minnesota’s thumping of the visiting Bandits on Saturday. Impressive from the get-go, his athleticism and fearlessness was on display early when he tracked down a loose ball outside of the crease to save a possession. He finished with 5 assists, too, 3 coming in the first half.

Jay Card (Minnesota): The right-hander scored 2 goals and had 2 assists, both goals coming on the power play in the second quarter of Saturday’s win over Buffalo. He’s got 3goals on 6 shots for the Swarm.

Honorable mention

Buffalo F Jeremy Thompson scooped a single LB in Buffalo’s home loss Friday to Philadelphia, but he did win 9 of 13 faceoffs and for the season is 25-for-43 on the draw. The right-hander didn’t play in Saturday’s loss to Minnesota … Minnesota F Joel Henry, out of Cochrane, Alberta, scored a goal in his NLL debut, his goal giving the Swarm a 13-5 lead in the third quarter against Buffalo … Toronto released T Jesse Gamble, named the Rookie of the Week in Week 1, to make room for the return of veteran D Drew Petkoff … Rochester D Joel White made his NLL debut Saturday against Colorado, scooping 3 loose balls and missing both shots on goal … Stealth G Chris Seidel made his first NLL saves, recording 22 stops on 29 shots in relief of starter Tyler Richardson, who got the hook in Saturday’s 16-5 loss to Edmonton … Stealth F Brett Hickey was scoreless on 3 shots and scooped a pair of loosies in the loss to the Rush … Buffalo D Jeff Cornwall played in both Buffalo losses and was scoreless on the 1 shot he took against Minnesota … Calgary D Travis Cornwall was scratched for the second straight weekend … Calgary D Greg Harnett forced a turnover in Saturday’s loss to Toronto … Colorado F Jordan McBride didn’t play against Rochester.

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