Blackstone Valley Co-op, a Rhode Island high school hockey team, won the Division 2 championship on Wednesday. The team was on the ice during a mass shooting in the stands last month.
No. 5 seed Blackstone Valley Co-op defeated No. 2 Lincoln in dramatic fashion. The score was tied late in regulation, and the team eventually won 3-2 in the fourth overtime. The victory at Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence sparked a wild celebration.
Dorgan’s Strength Amidst Tragedy
Colin Dorgan was again at the centre of the playoff success. Dorgan’s mother, brother and grandfather were killed in the shooting during a Senior Day game with his Blackstone Valley Co-op teammates at Rhode Island’s Dennis M. Lynch Arena last month.
Police identified Robert Dorgan as the shooter. He killed ex-wife Rhonda Dorgan and son Aidan Dorgan on Feb. 16 in the stands. Authorities said the shooting was targeted. Colin Dorgan’s grandfather, Gerald Dorgan, was also shot and later died from his wounds, and two others were severely injured.
The tragedy rattled the hockey community. In the weeks since, Dorgan laced up his skates as team captain. He performed well enough to help propel the team to the Division 2 final, which included scoring the winning goal in double overtime in the semi-finals last week.
Championship Victory
In Wednesday’s final, Dorgan’s goal off a deflection tied the score with about 30 seconds remaining. Four overtimes later, teammate Jaxon Boyes won the game.
Dorgan told reporters he was nervous to return, but his team and support network helped him. He pointed to the heart patch sewn on the front of his jersey with the initials of his family members who were killed.
“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. “I love them so much.”
Team Overcomes Grief
The ending was a much-needed catharsis for a team that has grappled with grief and trauma for weeks.
The attack was stopped after bystanders rushed the shooter as others fled. Robert Dorgan, who police said also went by the names Roberta Esposito and Roberta Dorgano, died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Blackstone Valley coach Chris Librizzi struggled with what to do in the aftermath. Librizzi is a retired firefighter who has coached hockey for more than 30 years. The team took some time off, and the coach made sure players participated in 10 days of counselling sessions.
- Librizzi gave each player the option of not returning to play.
- He encouraged anyone who made that choice to still show up on the bench or in the stands to support the team.
- Despite some initial hesitation, every player came back.
- Dorgan took the longest to decide.
“I sent Colin a text saying, ‘Bud, playoffs are this Friday night, it’s your call,” Librizzi said.