Get the latest Boston sports news
Receive updates on your favorite Boston teams, straight from our newsroom to your inbox.
A month after tragic shooting, Colin Dorgan, Blackstone Valley hockey triumph to win R.I. state title
"I truly felt it in my heart and my soul that they’re still with me. I love them so much. They’re still here, and I know it.”
The Blackstone Valley co-op hockey team has worn its collective heart on its sweaters over the last month.
As the BVS skaters took to the ice on Wednesday at Providence’s Amica Mutual Pavilion, a red heart — featuring the initials “RD”, “AD”, and “GD” — was featured on the Knights’ hockey jerseys, as has been the case throughout the team’s Cinderella run through the Rhode Island Division II hockey tournament.
It’s a reminder of the tragedy that this hockey team and the greater Rhode Island community have weathered over the last month.
Advertisement:
Blackstone Valley senior Colin Dorgan was on the ice when three of his family members were killed during a tragic shooting at the team’s “Senior Night” game at Pawtucket’s Dennis M. Lynch Arena.
But amid that heartbreak, Dorgan and his teammates found triumph on Wednesday with a state title on the line.
The No. 5 Blackstone Valley co-op team emerged victorious in the Rhode Island D-II championship game against No. 2 Lincoln High School, with a tally from Jaxon Boyes in the fourth overtime period securing a dramatic 3-2 win for BVS.
It stands as the Blackstone Valley co-op team’s first state title.
Advertisement:
“The outpouring of love and support that was sent our way from all over North America, it’s just been nothing but spectacular, and it made the difference … We won it because of love,” Blackstone head coach Chris Librizzi told Christopher Gavin of The Boston Globe after the victory.
Skating with a heavy heart, Dorgan helped will his team to a title over the last few weeks, scoring four goals over Blackstone’s last three games.
Dorgan forced overtime on Wednesday, releasing a shot that sailed into twine with just 32.2 seconds left in regulation — knotting the title game up at 2-2 apiece.
That equalizing goal came less than a week after Dorgan scored the game-winning goal in double overtime to lift BVS past Portsmouth in the Rhode Island D-II semifinals.
Speaking after Wednesday’s win, Dorgan pointed to the heart emblem stamped onto his sweater as a source of strength.
Dorgan’s mother, Rhonda Dorgan, and his 23-year-old brother, Aidan Dorgan, were killed when his father, Robert Dorgan, opened fire on the family on Feb. 16 before dying by suicide at the scene. Dorgan’s grandfather, Gerald Dorgan, died more than a week later due to injuries sustained in the shooting.
Advertisement:
Amid all of the tragedy that he has endured, Dorgan took solace in sharing the ice with his teammates on Wednesday — and honoring his family with his heroics out on the frozen sheet.
“They’re with me every step of the way,” Dorgan said of his mother, brother, and grandfather. “Throughout all of the playoffs, even in this game, and the overtimes, I truly felt it in my heart and my soul that they’re still with me. I love them so much. They’re still here, and I know it.”
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com