Hockey Player Scores Game-Winner After Family Killed in Shooting

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Colin Dorgan’s game-winning goal in double overtime on Wednesday night wasn’t just a ticket to the Rhode Island Division II boys hockey championship game for Blackstone Valley Co-op. It was a moment etched in grief and resilience, a testament to a young man playing with a weight few athletes ever know.

Dorgan scored the decisive goal against Portsmouth High School, sending his team to the championship game just weeks after tragedy struck his family. His mother, Rhonda Dorgan, his brother, Aidan Dorgan, and his grandfather, Gerald Dorgan, were killed in a targeted shooting at a hockey rink in Pawtucket on February 16th. The attack also left two others severely injured.

“It was the greatest moment of my life,” Dorgan told WPRI-TV after the game, a statement that carries a depth of emotion far beyond the typical post-game exuberance. The goal came on a breakaway, a swift and decisive move that sealed the 3-2 victory for Blackstone Valley.

The tragedy unfolded during a hockey game, a place of passion and community for the Dorgan family. Authorities have identified Robert Dorgan, who also went by Roberta Esposito and Roberta Dorgano, as the shooter, stating the attack was specifically targeted. Robert Dorgan died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The impact of the shooting reverberated throughout the Rhode Island high school sports community. All games were postponed for a week as teams and players grappled with the unimaginable loss. Blackstone Valley returned to the ice earlier this month, each player wearing a jersey adorned with a heart bearing the initials of Rhonda, Aidan, and Gerald Dorgan – a visible and poignant tribute.

The team’s resilience has been remarkable. Despite the profound grief, they continued to compete, honoring the memory of their lost loved ones with every shift. Wednesday’s victory was a particularly emotional milestone, a step closer to a championship that now carries a deeper significance.

Several bystanders are credited with intervening during the shooting, containing the shooter until law enforcement arrived. Their quick actions undoubtedly prevented further tragedy, demonstrating the courage and selflessness of those present.

Linda Dorgan, Rhonda Dorgan’s mother, and family friend Thomas Geruso were also wounded in the attack and are recovering. The community continues to rally around both families, offering support and assistance during this incredibly difficult time.

Blackstone Valley’s journey to the championship game has been marked by both heartbreak, and determination. The team secured their playoff spot on March 7th, building momentum towards Wednesday’s dramatic victory. Now, they prepare to compete for the Rhode Island Division 2 boys hockey championship on March 18th.

For Colin Dorgan and his teammates, the championship game represents more than just a sporting contest. It’s an opportunity to honor the memory of those they’ve lost, to demonstrate the power of resilience, and to inspire a community still healing from a devastating tragedy. The weight of that responsibility, and the joy of this achievement, are inextricably linked.