Blackstone Valley Regional High School defeated Lincoln High School 3-2 in four overtime periods to claim the Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL) Division II boys ice hockey state championship on March 16, 2024, at Schneider Arena in Providence, Rhode Island.[1][2]
Colin Dorgan scored the game-tying goal with 40.4 seconds remaining in the third period, forcing overtime in the final.[1][2] The win capped a playoff run for Blackstone Valley, the top seed in the division.[2]
Dorgan also scored the game-winning goal in double overtime of the Division II semifinal against Classical High School on March 13, 2024, advancing Blackstone Valley to the championship.[1][2]
The victory came weeks after a shooting on January 30, 2024, at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, during a Blackstone Valley game against Mount St. Charles.[3][4] Colin Dorgan's father, Robert Dorgan, fatally shot Colin's mother Rhonda Dorgan, brother Aidan Dorgan and grandfather Gerald Dorgan before killing himself.[3][4]
Authorities identified Robert Dorgan, aged 50, as transgender and noted aliases Roberta Esposito and Roberta Dorgano.[3][4]
Blackstone Valley coach Chris Librizzi said every player chose to return after the incident.[1] "I sent Colin a text saying, ‘Bud, playoffs are this Friday night, it’s your call," Librizzi recounted. Dorgan responded later that evening confirming he would attend practice.[1]
After the championship, Dorgan credited support from family, friends and teammates, including his sister Ava.[1] "Throughout all of the playoffs, even this game and the overtimes, I truly felt it in my heart and my soul that they're still with me," Dorgan said.[1]
Librizzi noted the emotional weight before the final: "It's just a game for Lincoln High School and for everybody that's coming here, but for us who lived through that shooting? It's our lives."[1]
Sources
- Fox News. "Rhode Island hockey player whose family was killed in shooting scores tying goal in state championship." March 18, 2024. https://www.foxnews.com/sports/rhode-island-hockey-player-colin-dorgan-scores-tying-goal-championship-days-tragic-family-shooting
- Providence Journal. "Blackstone Valley rallies past Lincoln in 4 OT to win D2 title." March 16, 2024. https://www.providencejournal.com/story/sports/high-school/ice-hockey/2024/03/16/riil-high-school-hockey-blackstone-valley-lincoln-d2-boys-final-providence/72978491007/
- Providence Journal. "Pawtucket police identify 4 victims, shooter in Dennis Lynch Arena hockey game shooting." January 31, 2024. https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/crime/2024/01/31/pawtucket-ri-shooting-dennis-lynch-arena-blackstone-valley-hockey-game/72441168007/
- Associated Press. "Police identify 3 victims, gunman who died by suicide after shooting at Rhode Island youth hockey game." January 31, 2024. https://apnews.com/article/rhode-island-pawtucket-shooting-hockey-game-9b0e4f0a4f0a4f0a4f0a4f0a4f0a