Dennis M. Lynch Arena tragedy, girl passes away and Pawtucket hockey mourns

Officials say a girl died at the rink during a game Monday, and others were rushed to the hospital.

The worst part is how ordinary the afternoon started for everyone in the stands.

Dennis M. Lynch Arena sits on Andrew Ferland Way, a familiar stop for local leagues and school teams.

Then everything flipped, fast, and people were forced into survival mode.

I keep thinking about the quiet moments in rinks, skate guards, warm coffee, and parents tracking shifts.

Instead, families left the building scared, confused, and searching for each other.

First responders and investigators stayed on scene while the arena area filled with sirens and heavy presence.

Rhode Island hockey fans feel sick to their stomachs right now, because this could have been any rink, any weekend.

This is not about the scoreboard, the top line, or who had the better forecheck.

It is about a young life lost, and the ripple that hits teammates, classmates, and an entire community.

If you have kids in the game, you know the drive home is usually a recap of goals and saves.

Now it is hard to imagine what anyone said on that ride today.

My thoughts are with the girl’s family as they face an unbearable, tragic death.

Hockey will return to that ice someday, but it will not feel the same for a long time.

Update: There are more deaths that were reported in addition to the girl mentioned above. May they all rest in peace.

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