Mohegan — Kevin Crowley is what New England Black Wolves coach Glenn Clark called the perfect player following Saturday night's game, in which Crowley had six goals in a 15-11 victory over the Buffalo Bandits.

“I've loved his game,” Clark said. “Kevin's played so well without scoring … he's done all the big things. So unselfish.”

Crowley took a somewhat circuitous route to be with the Black Wolves, in sole possession of first place in the National Lacrosse League's East Division at 3-1, this season.

The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Crowley, selected at No. 1 overall in the 2011 draft, was traded to the Toronto Rock on March 31 last season for Garrett Billings. He completed the season with the Rock, which reached the NLL Champion's Cup series before falling to Edmonton.

Crowley was then traded back to New England in the offseason in exchange for Dan Lintner and the Black Wolves' second-round pick in the 2016 draft.

Headed into Saturday's game, Crowley led the Wolves with 10 assists, while Shawn Evans — the NLL Most Valuable Player a year ago for Calgary — led with 10 goals. Evans had five goals in New England's last game, an 11-6 victory at Georgia on Jan. 17.

Against Buffalo, Crowley tied a career high with his six goals and added an assist, while Evans had two goals and seven assists. Pat Saunders and Kevin Buchanan added two goals each, Shane MacDonald had a career-high four assists and goalie Evan Kirk made a career-best 56 saves in the game played before 3,874 fans at Mohegan Sun Arena.

The victory broke a string of eight straight home losses for the Wolves.

“There's never any hard feelings. It's a business,” said Crowley of being involved of the pair of trades last year. “It was a great opportunity for me to pick up a few frequent-flier miles.

“It feels like that (a new start for the whole team, including Clark, in his first season). From the top to the bottom, things are a little bit smoother.”

The Black Wolves trailed the Bandits 5-3 on a goal by Dhane Smith just 3 minutes, 11 seconds into the second quarter. Evans scored to pull New England within a goal, however, and the Black Wolves unloaded for six straight goals to lead 9-5.

New England led 6-5 at the half, followed by third-quarter goals from Buchanan and two by Crowley. The run was capped by Crowley's fourth goal of the game and perhaps his finest with 8:58 to play in the quarter.

Evans fired a shot on the Buffalo goal which was rebounded by a hard-charging Crowley. As Crowley's momentum carried him seemingly off to the left of the goal cage, he flipped the ball behind his back past Buffalo goalie Anthony Cosmo.

Crowley made it 11-6 just prior to the end of the third quarter, double-pumping before hitting his fifth goal of the night, and his sixth goal came on assists from Evans and Buchanan with 3:32 to play, making it 14-8.

“Sometimes you close your eyes and it goes in,” Crowley said with a laugh of the behind-the-back goal.

“We've got guys who are creative,” Clark said of the Black Wolves' continued offensive production. “Offense is sort of like the artists; you've got to let them paint a little bit. It's nice to see Kevin go off like he did.”

New England came into the game tied for first place at 2-1 along with Buffalo and Rochester. Rochester lost to Georgia 13-9 Saturday.

The Black Wolves play their next game against the Bandits, as well, traveling to Buffalo on Feb. 6. New England returns home on Feb. 14 for a 3 p.m. game against Toronto.

“It's so good for the fans,” Crowley said of getting to see the victory. “I hope they keep coming back. It's nice when the city rallies around your team.”

v.fulkerson@theday.com

Twitter: @vickieattheday