HOCKEY: Riddle helps Springfield solve Garnet Valley

ASTON >> No matter the sport, the best players make the most out of what little space they get. Springfield’s Tyler Riddle proved that Wednesday night at Ice Works in a 7-4 win over Garnet Valley. Riddle scored four times, striking twice in the third to help the Cougars (14-2-0, 13-1-0 Central League) overcome the Jags.

The final 16 minutes showed just how dangerous the reigning Daily Times Player of the Year can be. Down 4-3 after two, Riddle coasted toward the Garnet Valley blue line on the first shift of the third. Jimmy Schickling fired a hopeful pass his way. He corralled it between two defensemen, fought both off as he went in on goaltender Lee Wheeler, then buried a shot blocker side as he fell. It was a supreme individual effort and one that clinched Riddle’s 10th hat-trick in 14 games.

“I looked back and Jimmy (Schickling) threw it right on my stick. (The defenseman) was right on me, and I think little (Domonic) Starzi was slashing me,” said Riddle of the goal. “I knew I was going down so I just wanted to get a quick shot off.”

The marker not only tied the game at four, but it also made up for an earlier lapse in defensive coverage. On the Jags’ fourth goal, Gannon Stuart snuck behind Riddle in the slot to slam home a Thomas Schenk pass and put the hosts in front. Riddle drifted frustratingly to center ice following the play.

“Yeah that was my fault on that back door. Jimmy (Schickling) went in the corner and I should’ve been back,” said Riddle. “I mean, if I make a mistake, I want to help my team out. I’m going to do the best I can.”

He made good on that sentiment. After Mark Rodgers put the Cougars ahead less than a minute after Riddle’s third goal, Riddle added a fourth on the power play. Again, he created space where there was none. Riddle pulled the puck from the behind the net before beating Wheeler high to the glove side from an acute angle.

“You just have to try and keep up with him,” said Garnet Valley (5-9-1, 4-8-1) captain Anthony Starzi. “He’s a great player.”

For two periods, the Jags did keep pace. Anthony Starzi scored twice including a spectacular backhand that opened the scoring in the first.

While Starzi starred on the offensive end, Wheeler kept Springfield at bay. He finished with 42 saves, 37 of them coming in the first two periods. But eventually the Cougars, and Riddle, solved him.

And to think he hesitated about playing his senior year. A heavy schedule with the Junior Flyers, the top club team in the area and one of the best in the country, nearly kept Riddle from wearing the Springfield sweater this season.

“I love it. I thought about it, and I didn’t want to miss my senior year,” he said. “I didn’t want to leave these guys out to dry. I feel like I’m doing a good job. I love the team. I love the players.”