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Hockey Player Scores Game-Winning Goal After Losing Family in Rink Shooting
Colin Dorgan's emotional victory sends his high school team to the championship.
Mar. 12, 2026 at 3:10pm
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Colin Dorgan, a senior at North Providence High School in Rhode Island, scored the game-winning goal in double overtime to send his hockey team to the championship. This came just a month after Dorgan lost his mother, brother, and grandfather in a shooting at a local ice rink, where his father opened fire on the family.
Why it matters
The tragic shooting that took the lives of Dorgan's loved ones shocked the local community. Dorgan's game-winning goal in the midst of his grief has become an uplifting moment that has brought the community together and highlighted the power of sports to help people cope with unimaginable loss.
The details
During a senior night game at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island last month, a shooting erupted in the stands, leaving Dorgan's mother Rhonda, older brother Aidan, and grandfather Gerald dead. His grandmother Linda and family friend Thomas Geruso were also critically wounded. The gunman was later identified as Dorgan's father, Robert Dorgan, who then took his own life.
- Last month, during the team's senior night game at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, the shooting occurred.
- On Wednesday, Dorgan scored the game-winning goal to send his high school hockey team to the championship.
The players
Colin Dorgan
A senior at North Providence High School in Rhode Island who scored the game-winning goal to send his hockey team to the championship, just a month after losing his mother, brother, and grandfather in a shooting at a local ice rink.
Rhonda Dorgan
Colin Dorgan's mother who was killed in the shooting at the ice rink.
Aidan Dorgan
Colin Dorgan's older brother who was killed in the shooting at the ice rink.
Gerald Dorgan
Colin Dorgan's grandfather who was killed in the shooting at the ice rink.
Robert Dorgan
Colin Dorgan's father who opened fire on the family at the ice rink, killing Rhonda, Aidan, and Gerald, before turning the gun on himself.
What they’re saying
“It was the greatest moment of my life.”
— Colin Dorgan, Senior at North Providence High School (WPRI-TV)
“We have to stick together. It's a hard time for everyone. We have each other's back and we truly love each other.”
— Colin Dorgan, Senior at North Providence High School (WPRI-TV)
“These are my brothers.”
— Colin Dorgan, Senior at North Providence High School (WPRI-TV)
“I literally cried like a baby. The floodgates opened.”
— Chris Librizzi, Blackstone Valley Schools Head Coach (WPRI-TV)
“When I saw him open, I knew he was golden.”
— Chris Librizzi, Blackstone Valley Schools Head Coach (WPRI-TV)
What’s next
The team will compete in the championship game this weekend.
The takeaway
Dorgan's game-winning goal in the midst of his immense grief has become an inspiring moment that has rallied the community around him and his teammates, showing the healing power of sports in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
