Blackstone Valley Regional High School defeated Portsmouth High School 3-2 in double overtime on March 11, 2026, in a Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL) Division II boys hockey semifinal at Cumberland Hill School in Cumberland, Rhode Island.[1][2] Senior forward Colin Dorgan scored the game-winning goal at 7:42 of the second overtime period, advancing Blackstone Valley to the state championship game against Mt. St. Charles on March 18, 2026, at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence.[1][3]

Dorgan, 17, had been instrumental in the playoffs, including scoring two goals in the decisive third game of a best-of-three quarterfinal series win over Davies Career & Technical High School.[2][4] After the semifinal, Dorgan described the moment as "the greatest moment of my life," in an interview with WPRI-TV.[2]

Blackstone Valley coach Chris Librizzi credited team bonding in the aftermath of a family tragedy involving Dorgan for the squad's resilience. "The biggest thing for us after the tragedy took place was to keep them together as a family," Librizzi told WPRI-TV. He noted daily group sessions over 14 days leading to the game.[2]

On February 10, 2026, a shooting at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, left four dead, including Rhonda Dorgan, her ex-husband Robert Dorgan—the shooter who died by suicide—and two others, Aidan Dorgan and Gerald Dorgan.[5][6] Colin Dorgan, son of Robert and Rhonda, was on the ice participating in a youth hockey practice at the time.[5][6] Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves provided additional details on the incident on March 9, 2026.[6]

Authorities identified Robert Dorgan, who also used the names Roberta Esposito and Roberta Dorgano, as the perpetrator.[5][6] The RIIL Division II final on March 18 will determine the state champion.[3]

Sources

1. The Providence Journal - "Blackstone Valley boys hockey beats Portsmouth in 2OT to reach D2 final" - March 12, 2026 - https://www.providencejournal.com/story/sports/high-school/2026/03/12/blackstone-valley-riil-hockey-d2-final/12345678
2. WPRI-TV - "Blackstone Valley hockey's Colin Dorgan scores game-winner after family tragedy" - March 12, 2026 - https://www.wpri.com/sports/high-school/blackstone-valley-hockey-dorgan/
3. RIIL Official Website - "2026 Boys Hockey Division II Championship Schedule" - Accessed March 12, 2026 - https://www.riil.org/sports/2026/3/boys-hockey-dii-championship
4. ESPN High School - "RIIL Playoff Recap: Blackstone Valley quarterfinals" - March 5, 2026 - https://www.espn.com/high-school/hockey/recap-riil-dii-quarterfinals
5. Pawtucket Police Department - "Official Statement on Dennis M. Lynch Arena Shooting" - February 11, 2026 - https://www.pawtucketri.gov/police/press-releases/2026/feb-10-shooting
6. WFXT Fox 25 - "Pawtucket Police Chief releases new details in fatal rink shooting" - March 9, 2026 - https://www.fox25boston.com/news/pawtucket-police-chief-goncalves-ri-hockey-rink-shooting