Warriors to Start 2026 against the Tigers
Published on January 2, 2026 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release
MEDICINE HAT, Alta. - The Warriors are flying west today for a game against the Medicine Hat Tigers. In two games so far this season, the Warriors and Tigers have required overtime to determine a winner.
The Warriors took an early two-goal lead on New Year's Eve as they battled against the Regina Pats. The Pats returned fire, and the Warriors headed into the final frame down by a goal. Connor Schmidt got the Warriors back on track with a goal on a penalty shot early in the third period. The Pats struck again to take the lead, but the Warriors were able to respond to tie the game before Landen McFadden potted the overtime winner.
Landen McFadden continues to impress during his sophomore season. He leads the team with 16 goals and 37 points through 34 games. All three 20-year-olds sit just behind McFadden to round out the top five. Pavel McKenzie has tallied 10 goals and 33 points, Aiden Ziprick has notched nine goals and 32 points, and Ethan Semeniuk is just behind with eight goals and 27 points.
The Tigers come into tonight with a 25-6-3-2 record, and they are riding a 13-game winning streak. In their last game of 2025, the Tigers sailed to an 8-0 shutout victory over the Red Deer Rebels. Two-time WHL Champion, Bryce Pickford, leads their scoring with 27 goals and 50 points. Twins Liam (18 goals, 31 assists) and Markus (8 goals, 41 assists) Ruck sit just behind with 49 points each.
Last time the teams met, the Warriors took the lead with a goal from Landen McFadden just after the midpoint of the first period. The Tigers responded quickly with two goals to take the lead before the end of the first frame. In the middle frame, the Warriors got back on track with goals from Steven Steranka and Aiden Ziprick, but the Tigers were able to tally three to head into the final frame still up by one goal. In the final period, Ethan Semeniuk and Landen McFadden added one goal each to give the team back the lead. The Tigers responded with a goal with under 30 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game and force overtime. Bryce Pickford sealed their fate with the game-winner under two minutes into the extra frame.
Follow along with the action with James Gallo on Country 100 with the pregame show starting at 7:40 pm, or watch for free on Victory+.
Western Hockey League Stories from January 2, 2026
- Late Goal from Preston Lifts Chiefs Past Giants - Vancouver Giants
- Wenatchee Opens 2026 Quickly, Earns 6-2 Victory over Portland Friday - Wenatchee Wild
- Chiefs Open the New Year with Giant Win, Preston Nets Game Winner over Vancouver - Spokane Chiefs
- Broncos Fall, 4-3, in Overtime to Hurricanes in 2026 Opener - Swift Current Broncos
- Rockets Fall, 3-2, in Shootout to Blazers - Kelowna Rockets
- Hawks Come up Short in Wenatchee - Portland Winterhawks
- Tigers Win 14th Straight Against Moose Jaw, 6-3 - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Preview: Americans at Royals - January 3, 2026 - Tri-City Americans
- Warriors Clawed by Tigers - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Oil Kings Unveil Jerseys for Superhero Day on Sunday - Edmonton Oil Kings
- December Ironworker of the Month: F Chase Harrington - Spokane Chiefs
- Thunderbirds Acquire Philadelphia Flyers Prospect Matthew Gard - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Rebels Complete Trades with Kelowna, Everett, Seattle - Red Deer Rebels
- Silvertips Acquire Flyers Prospect Luke Vlooswyk in Trade with Red Deer - Everett Silvertips
- Rockets Acquire Defenseman Keith McInnis from Red Deer - Kelowna Rockets
- Canadiens Prospect Pickford Named Tempo WHL Player of the Month for December - Medicine Hat Tigers
- NHL Prospects Pickford & Dach, 2026 NHL Draft Eligible Ruzicka Headline WHL Monthly Awards for December - WHL
- Rockets Sign 2024 WHL U.S. Priority Draft Selection Drew Larioza - Kelowna Rockets
- Game Preview: Game 37 VS Warriors - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Chiefs Host Giants Friday for First Home Game of 2026 - Spokane Chiefs
- Warriors to Start 2026 against the Tigers - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Game Day Hub: January 2 at Wenatchee - Portland Winterhawks
- Cougars Surrender Late Equalizer, Fall 6-5 in OT - Prince George Cougars
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