Lyles Earns All-Star Nod:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Lyles earns All-Star nod

Published: February 27, 2011

Defenceman Malcolm Lyles has an arsenal of weapons he can use to jumpstart the Vernon Vipers.

Whether it’s a bone-crunching hit, a hard wrister from the point or an explosive end-to-end rush, the Miami Gardens, Fla. product has become a fan favourite at Wesbild Centre.

The B.C. Hockey League must have picked up on his vibe as well, as they honoured him with a selection to the Interior Conference All-Star Team.

There was no all-star game this year, but ballots were distributed to each of the league’s 16 head coaches to recognize the league’s top players.

Joining Lyles on the Interior blueline is Joey Laleggia, who led the Penticton Vees with 20 goals and 62 assists for 82 points, good enough for fifth overall in regular-season scoring.

Up front are BCHL scoring leader Mike Hammond of the Salmon Arm SilverBacks, Alex Grieve of Westside Warriors and Scott Jacklin of the Trail Smoke Eaters. The Smokies’ Kiefer Smiley earned the nod in Interior net.

The Coastal All-Star balloting was led by four Powell River Kings – netminder Michael Garteig, defenceman Justin Dasilva and forwards Matt Garbowsky and Chad Niddery. Rounding out the selection was the Nanaimo Clipper d-man Graeme McCormack and Surrey Eagle forward Brad McGowan.

Meanwhile, in first-round BCHL playoff action Friday night, Hammond collected 2+1 as the host ‘Backs pummeled the Merritt Centennials 7-2 in Game 1 of their best-of-seven series.

Laleggia collected 1+2 and first star as the host Vees hammered the Quesnel Millionaires 5-1 in Game 2 of their series. Penticton won Game 1 by an identical 5-1 score Thursday.

In the other Interior series, the Trail Smoke Eaters doubled the host Westside Warriors 4-2 in Game 1 at Royal LePage Place.