In one scenario, Jamie Shewchuk scores three fourth-quarter goals to cement a win for the Colorado Mammoth. In another, Matt Taylor's goal halts a 23-minute Colorado scoring drought.

In yet another instance,

Jason Bloom forces a turnover and Nenad Gajic delivers a pinpoint outlet pass to kick-start the transition game. It leads to a shorthanded goal.

The common denominator is not that each is a highlight from the Mammoth's season. It's that each was accomplished by a rookie.

The Mammoth has rocketed to a National Lacrosse League-best 5-1 mark, and though familiar veteran producers are receiving the bulk of the credit, Colorado's five rookies have played an integral role.

"They're rookies as far as playing in the NLL, but each one of them has 10 years experience, minimum, of playing indoor lacrosse," veteran defenseman Tom Ethington said. "They're out there, and they know what they're doing."

The group, which also includes forward Jordan Cornfield, has produced 17 goals and 27 assists entering tonight's game against the Edmonton Rush (7, Pepsi Center). The bulk of that production has come from second- round draft choice Shewchuk (nine goals, eight assists) and Gajic (three goals, 12 assists), but each has had key moments.

Bloom has played in all six games and helped solidify the transition game while contributing two goals and five assists. Taylor, recently acquired from the New York Titans, had two goals and one assist in his initial Mammoth appearance Jan. 25 against Portland.

"It feels really great to step in and contribute to an already great team," said Taylor, who played two games with Toronto last season but still is classified as a rookie. "I went from a last-place team to a first-place team. Can't complain, right?"

Cornfield has appeared in only two games but produced one goal and one assist.

Shewchuk, who has helped replace popular forwards Dan Stroup and Chris Gill, now with Edmonton, believes the rookies have excelled because the veterans have provided an environment in which they can strive.

"There's no egos on this team, and it's great to be a part of that," Shewchuk said. "They make you feel welcome and comfortable."

ETC.: Stroup and Gill will receive their championship rings tonight. . . . Rochester forward John Grant broke an NLL record by scoring 15 points (nine goals, six assists) in a Jan. 27 game against New York. The previous record of 14 was shared by Mammoth coach Gary Gait and two others. "I thought it was awesome," Gait said. "Any time something like that happens, it's good for the league."