Blackstone Valley Schools hockey head coach Chris Librizzi said “angels” were with his team on Wednesday, March 18, when they won a Rhode Island state championship in Providence. One of his players, Colin Dorgan, added that those angels came in the form of his late relatives.
Colin, 17, lost three family members when his father, Robert Dorgan, who also went by Roberta, opened fire at his senior day game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island in February. Colin’s mom, Rhonda, brother, Aidan, and grandfather Gerald all died in the shooting. Colin’s grandmother Linda and family friend Thomas Geruso were also injured. Robert later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
“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, and I think that I love them so much, and they’re still here and I know it,” Colin told reporters after the game.
“I love them so much,” he added as he pointed to a heart patch sewn on the front of his jersey with his loved ones’ initials.
Colin scored the game-tying goal with 30 seconds remaining in their game against Lincoln to force overtime, where his team eventually won.
“My good buddy fed me the puck and I could hear the crowd. It was a surreal moment,” he said, adding that the goal was the “greatest moment of my life.”
His heroics came barely a month after the February 16 shooting, which occurred just five miles away from American Mutual Pavilion, which hosted the state title game.
“The City of Pawtucket stands with those affected by the tragic shooting at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena,” a police statement read at the time. “We understand that many in our community are experiencing shock, fear and anxiety due to this violence.”
The statement continued, “To support those impacted, the City is working with local partners and mental health professionals to provide counseling and support services. We encourage players, students, families and staff to seek help during this difficult time.”
Librizzi gave each of his players the option of not returning to the team after the tragedy, but every one of them elected to play on, including Colin, according to the New York Post.
“I sent Colin a text saying, ‘Bud, playoffs are this Friday night, it’s your call,’” Librizzi said. “He didn’t respond all day, but at about 9 o’clock at night, he sent me a text saying, ‘Coach, I’ll see you tomorrow at practice.’”
