Teen Scores Winning Playoff Goal After Losing 3 Family Members

Colin Dorgan's overtime goal sends Blackstone Valley Schools to Rhode Island Division II title game.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 7:35pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Colin Dorgan, a high school senior who lost his mother, brother, and grandfather in a mass shooting at a Rhode Island hockey game last month, scored the game-winning goal in overtime to send his Blackstone Valley Schools team to the state championship game. Dorgan's emotional goal came during a 3-2 victory over Portsmouth in the state semifinals.

Why it matters

The tragic shooting last month at a Rhode Island hockey arena shook the community. Dorgan's heroic performance and his team's advancement to the state title game provides a glimmer of hope and inspiration during a difficult time.

The details

With the score tied 2-2 in the second overtime, Dorgan scored on a breakaway to send Blackstone Valley Schools to the Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL) Division II boys ice hockey championship game. Dorgan's mother, brother, and grandfather were killed in the Feb. 16 shooting at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket. The shooter, Dorgan's ex-father, also died from a self-inflicted wound.

  • Dorgan scored the game-winning goal in double overtime on March 12, 2026.
  • The tragic shooting that killed Dorgan's family members occurred on Feb. 16, 2026.

The players

Colin Dorgan

A high school senior who plays for the Blackstone Valley Schools co-op team. He lost his mother, brother, and grandfather in a mass shooting at a Rhode Island hockey game last month.

Rhonda Dorgan

Colin Dorgan's mother, who was killed in the Feb. 16 shooting.

Aidan Dorgan

Colin Dorgan's brother, who was killed in the Feb. 16 shooting.

Gerald Dorgan

Colin Dorgan's grandfather, who was killed in the Feb. 16 shooting.

Robert Dorgan

Also known as Roberta Dorgan, the 56-year-old ex-husband of Rhonda Dorgan who died by suicide during the Feb. 16 shooting.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'll tell you right now, there was not a dry eye in the stands when that happened.”

— Michael Lunney, RIIL executive director (NBC News)

“It was just really emotional. And I think the whole state needed that after what happened last month.”

— Michael Lunney, RIIL executive director (NBC News)

What’s next

Blackstone Valley Schools will play Lincoln High School on Wednesday, March 19, 2026 at 4:00 PM EDT in the Rhode Island Division II championship game.

The takeaway

Dorgan's heroic performance and his team's advancement to the state title game provides a much-needed moment of inspiration and hope for the Rhode Island community still reeling from the tragic shooting that took the lives of Dorgan's loved ones. His perseverance and resilience in the face of unimaginable loss is a testament to the human spirit.