Blackstone Valley Regional High School defeated Lincoln High School 3-2 in four overtime periods to win the Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL) Division II boys ice hockey state championship on March 19, 2024, at Gain Arena in Smithfield, Rhode Island.[1][2]

Colin Dorgan scored the tying goal for Blackstone Valley with 47.8 seconds remaining in the third period, forcing overtime in the title game.[1][2] The win marked the school's first state title in the sport.[1]

Dorgan had also scored the game-winning goal in double overtime during Blackstone Valley's 4-3 semifinal victory over Prout School on March 14, 2024.[1][3]

The championship came more than two months after a fatal shooting on January 13, 2024, at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, during a Blackstone Valley game. Colin Dorgan's mother, Rhonda Dorgan, brother Aidan Dorgan and grandfather Gerald Dorgan were killed by Robert Dorgan, Colin's father and Rhonda's ex-husband, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities identified Robert Dorgan as transgender and noted aliases including Roberta Esposito and Roberta Dorgano.[4][5]

Blackstone Valley coach Chris Librizzi said players had the option to step away after the incident but all returned. "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," Librizzi said.[2][6]

Dorgan credited support from family, friends and teammates, including his sister Ava. "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 post-game.[2][6]

Sources

1. Providence Journal
   Article: "Blackstone Valley survives Lincoln in 4OT thriller to win D-II crown"
   Publication date: March 20, 2024
   https://www.providencejournal.com/story/sports/high-school/2024/03/20/blackstone-valley-lincoln-riil-dii-boys-hockey-final/73051287007/
2. Fox News
   Article: "Rhode Island hockey player who lost mom, brother, grandfather in mass shooting wins state title in dramatic fashion"
   Publication date: March 20, 2024
   https://www.foxnews.com/sports/rhode-island-hockey-player-loses-mom-brother-grandfather-mass-shooting-wins-state-title-dramatic-fashion
3. Providence Journal
   Article: "Blackstone Valley edges Prout in 2OT to advance to D-II final"
   Publication date: March 15, 2024
   https://www.providencejournal.com/story/sports/high-school/2024/03/15/blackstone-valley-prout-riil-dii-boys-hockey-semifinal/72888891007/
4. Providence Journal
   Article: "What we know about Pawtucket ice rink shooting that left 4 dead, including 2 children"
   Publication date: January 14, 2024
   https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2024/01/14/pawtucket-ri-hockey-arena-shooting-robert-rhonda-dorgan/72258180007/
5. Pawtucket Police Department (via Providence Journal)
   Article: "Police identify shooter, 3 victims in deadly Pawtucket ice arena shooting"
   Publication date: January 13, 2024
   https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/crime/2024/01/13/pawtucket-ri-hockey-shooting-dennis-lynch-arena/72238968007/
6. Providence Journal
   Article: "Emotional win: Blackstone Valley hockey team copes with grief, captures first state title"
   Publication date: March 20, 2024
   https://www.providencejournal.com/story/sports/high-school/2024/03/20/blackstone-valley-hockey-riil-d-ii-title-tragedy/73051287007/