ST. JOHN’S, Nfld. (AP) – Brendan Bell’s goal with 26 seconds left in the first period stood as the winner and Jean-Sebastien Aubin stopped 28 shots as the St. John’s Maple Leafs blanked the Portland Pirates 2-0 on Friday night.

Brad Leeb also scored for the Maple Leafs, who improved to 16-9-0-1.

Pirates goalie Maxime Ouellet was kept busy in the first period as the Leafs dominated the opening 20 minutes, outshooting their guests 15-9.

Bell finally solved last year’s AHL second-team all-star, beating Ouellet at the 19:34 mark.

The St. John’s defenseman took a nice pass from Kyle Wellwood and one-timed a shot that found the short side for his second goal of the year.

Leeb provided the insurance marker at 11:19 of the third period, taking a Nathan Barrett pass and beating Ouellet for his fourth goal in two games and sixth on the year.

AP-ES-12-10-04 2125EST