GLADWIN — Casey LaRue had three goals and three assists as Dow High opened Division 2 pre-regional hockey play Tuesday with an 8-0, mercy-shortened victory over the Bay Area Thunder at the Gladwin Community Arena.

Dow led 2-0 after the first period, extended its lead to 6-0 after two periods, and ended the game with 9:34 remaining on its second goal of the third period.

Shane Astrike added two goals and two assists, while single goals came from Jeremy Brookens, Vi Lobo and Joey Johnson.

Contributing two assists each were Brendan Holbrook and Jon Baillargeon, while Josh Storer, Nathan Painter, and Jack Kivi had one assist each.

“Right now, we’re relying quite a bit on both Shane (Astrike) and Casey (LaRue) offensively, and they both stepped up big tonight,” said Dow coach Dick Blasy.

Jeremy Slasor was in goal for Dow and had nine saves.

The Chargers beat the Thunder in their season opener in the only other meeting between the teams this year.

“We were confident that we could take care of business, but at the same time, this is a Thunder team that (upset) us two years ago (in the playoffs),” said Blasy. “Nobody wants the season to end, so we can’t afford to take anything for granted.

“With single-elimination, you never know,” he added. “The last two years, we’ve run into unbelievable (postseason) goaltending, and goalies can steal one at this time of year.”

Dow (16-9-1) advances to face Midland High, a team it has beaten twice this year in tightly contested games, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Gladwin.

“We beat them both times, but that’s meaningless now,” said Blasy of the Chemics. “Both games were good games, and we’re expecting this one to be another one.

“They’ve got a lot of good competitors on their team, and we have to be ready for that.”