Blackstone Valley win state title weeks after tragic rink shooting
Blackstone Valley Co-op have won the Rhode Island Division 2 hockey championship just weeks after a deadly mass shooting at their home arena, with grieving captain Colin Dorgan inspiring a dramatic 3-2 quadruple-overtime victory against Lincoln.
The number five seeds captured the emotional state title at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence on Wednesday.
Jaxon Boyes delivered the decisive game-winning strike deep into a fourth period of overtime to trigger wild celebrations among the supporters.
Captain inspires emotional turnaround
At the very centre of this extraordinary playoff run stood the team’s senior captain.
Dorgan lost his mother, brother, and grandfather when a targeted mass shooting erupted in the stands during a Senior Day game on 16 February.
Authorities confirmed that Robert Dorgan was the shooter responsible for the tragic attack at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena before taking his own life.
Despite the unimaginable grief, the brave teenager repeatedly laced up his skates to lead his teammates through the postseason.
Dramatic late equaliser forces overtime
With his side trailing in the final minute of regulation time, the resilient forward scored from a crucial deflection to tie the game with just 30 seconds remaining.
His late heroics followed a stunning double-overtime winning goal in the semi-finals last week.
Wearing a custom heart patch bearing the initials of his late family members, the inspiring youngster spoke movingly about his return to the ice.
“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.”
“I love them so much.”
Community healing through hockey
Head coach Chris Librizzi carefully guided his traumatised squad through the immediate aftermath of the horrific incident.
The retired firefighter, who boasts over three decades of coaching experience, arranged 10 days of vital counselling sessions for the deeply rattled community.
Every single player ultimately chose to return to the sport despite being offered the option to sit out the remainder of the campaign.
Unified squad completes fairytale ending
The veteran manager revealed the gentle approach he took when checking on his grieving captain before the playoffs began.
“I sent Colin a text saying, ‘Bud, playoffs are this Friday night, it’s your call’.”
That difficult decision to return ultimately culminated in a profoundly cathartic championship victory for the entire Rhode Island community.