• The Eastside Stars slap shot into upcoming season.

EAST LANSING - Rust collided with ice, as the Okemos Chiefs and the Eastside Stars began practices this week for the upcoming season, less than two weeks away.

Okemos is coming off of its most successful season since 1999-2000, reaching the state semis, with a, 25-4, record and a Divison III state quarterfinals appearance.

"The biggest thing I think is getting back into the swing of hockey," Okemos head coach Bill Sipola said during Monday evening workouts. "We did a lose some good players, but we've got some good ones back."

"I feel like we are going to be just as good, maybe a little bit better," Okemos junior Griffin Roarclark said.

"Of course, we are going to have real good goaltending," Sipola said. "We have both goaltenders back so we're strong in goal. We're anxious to get going."

The Chiefs faceoff November 20, 8 P.M., at Northview High School, starting regular season play.

The Eastside Stars are in more of a rebuilding process as they try to find their footing for the 2015-2016 season.

"Our program is definitely in a transition year so a lot of new kids," Eastside coach Chad Theuerkorn said, after his team's practice Monday evening. "We had a lot of turnover last year from seniors, a lot of new guys, freshmen, sophomore, a lot of underclassmen."