Blackstone Valley Regional High School defeated Lincoln High School 3-2 in four overtime periods to win the Rhode Island Interscholastic League 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 for Blackstone Valley at 19:13 of the third period, with 47 seconds remaining in regulation, to force overtime in the final that lasted 96 minutes and 12 seconds.[1][2] Blackstone Valley's Dylan Conti scored the winner at 4:46 of the fourth overtime.[2]
Dorgan had also scored the game-winning goal in double overtime two days earlier, on March 13, 2024, as Blackstone Valley beat Mount St. Charles 4-3 in the semifinals.[1][3]
The victory came nearly a month after a shooting on February 17, 2024, at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket during a Bayside Conference tournament game between Blackstone Valley and Bishop Hendricken.[1][4]
Pawtucket police identified the shooter as Robert Dorgan, 50, who fatally shot his ex-wife Rhonda Dorgan, 49; their son Aidan Dorgan, 19; and Rhonda's father Gerald Dorgan, 79, before dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.[4][5] Authorities stated Robert Dorgan had legally changed his name to Roberta Esposito and identified as transgender.[1][5]
Colin Dorgan told reporters after the final that he felt nervous returning to the ice but was supported by family, friends and teammates. "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," he said.[1]
Head coach Chris Librizzi said before the final that the game represented healing from the tragedy for his team. He offered players the option to step away, but all returned, including Dorgan, who responded to a text from Librizzi confirming he would attend practice.[1]
Dorgan credited his sister Ava for helping him recover, saying she "totally filled the shoes of my mom."[1]
Sources
- Fox News, "Rhode Island hockey player who lost mom, brother, grandfather in tragic shooting wins state title", March 18, 2024, https://www.foxnews.com/sports/rhode-island-hockey-player-loses-mom-brother-grandfather-tragic-shooting-wins-state-title
- The Providence Journal, "Blackstone Valley’s Colin Dorgan ties game late, helps team win RI hockey D-II title in 4 OTs", March 16, 2024, https://www.providencejournal.com/story/sports/high-school/2024/03/16/blackstone-valley-wins-ri-boys-hockey-d-ii-title-lincoln/72990590007/
- The Providence Journal, "Blackstone Valley edges Mt. St. Charles in double OT to advance to RI D2 final", March 13, 2024, https://www.providencejournal.com/story/sports/high-school/2024/03/13/mt-st-charles-vs-blackstone-valley-ri-high-school-hockey/72874891007/
- The Providence Journal, "Family of 4 identified after Pawtucket hockey arena shooting: Robert, Rhonda Dorgan", February 18, 2024, https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2024/02/18/family-of-4-identified-after-pawtucket-hockey-arena-shooting-robert-rhonda-dorgan/72641785007/
- The Providence Journal, "Police ID shooter who killed 3 family members at Pawtucket ice rink", February 20, 2024, https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/crime/2024/02/20/pawtucket-police-hockey-rink-shooting-suspect-victims/72664596007/
