Aggies look to beat Wildcats with new strategy in opener

The Utah State Aggies hockey team has adopted a new hybrid strategy, with an aggressive practice routine and more effort placed on scoring. The team will debut its new strategy at the season opener with Weber State on Sept. 14. 
While the two teams are familiar with one another, this will be the first time the Aggies play with new head coach CJ Westlake’s more offensive strategies in play.
“Before, we were defense heavy,” Westlake said. “Now, we’re more contained, following a hybrid strategy. We’re going to be aggressive in the corners and focus on moving the puck up the boards.”
The Aggies and Wildcats have a history of season-opening face offs, spawning a very tumultuous relationship between the teams. Weber State’s team has a history of being a very offensive team where USU’s was defensive.

"We've always been a team that plays more on the offensive side," said Wildcats head coach Yosh Ryujin, "but our goaltenders help with our defense."
With or without the Aggies' new strategy, Ryujin said the game will be a "big challenge for us."

“They’re our biggest rival,” Ryujin said about the Aggies. “It will be a competitive game for both of us.”
The season starts at The Ice Sheet in Ogden, on Sept. 14.

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