Milan Gajic recorded a hat trick and Jon Awe scored twice as the Houston Aeros blanked the Peoria Rivermen on Sunday at Carver Arena, ending Peoria’s playoff hopes.

Gajic scored a pair of goals on Houston’s first two shots of the game and the Aeros were off and running. First Gajic worked a three-on-one break by faking a pass across the ice before beating Chris Beckford-Tseu high glove to make it 1-0 at 4:28. He followed that by tucking a backhand under the right pad of Beckford-Tseu at 10:52 for a 2-0 edge. Colton Gillies helped set up both goals for the Aeros.

Awe then scored his first of the night at 17:54 with a blast from the right point, a power play marker to make it 3-0 after 20 minutes of play.

Gajic added his third goal in the second period on the power play, followed by another Awe slapshot with the man advantage in the third for the 5-0 final.

Along the way Nolan Schaefer was solid in net, stopping all 22 shots faced from Peoria and keeping the Rivermen from igniting its offense.

Houston finished the game 3-for-11 on the power play while Peoria went 0-for3.

With Sunday’s result, Houston, San Antonio, and Milwaukee all clinch playoff berths while Peoria is eliminated from post-season contention.