One point is better than zero.

That’s the optimistic way of looking at Lewiston’s 3-2 overtime road loss to Cape Breton before 4,289 spectators Friday night at Centre 200.

Given the Maineiacs’ residency in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Eastern Division, easily the most balanced of the three sections, Lewiston can consider the unfavorable verdict as good as a tie.

Even with the defeat, Lewiston (8-13-1-1) kept pace with Quebec, which tied Halifax 3-3. The two teams remained tied for fourth in the East and moved within one point of third-place Chicoutimi.

Lewiston wouldn’t be entirely unjustified for wanting to kick itself, however. In many respects, Cape Breton, leading the Atlantic Division at 19-5-0-1, represents one that got away.

Guillaume Demers scored with 10 seconds remaining in the extra period. Tim Ramholt and Stephen Dixon notched the assists.

Prior to that, Lewiston gave away a pair of one-goal leads. The Maineiacs enjoyed a 29-23 edge in shots and failed to convert on six power-play opportunities against the Screaming Eagles.

Karl Fournier forced overtime, scoring his 10th goal of the season with 7:06 remaining in regulation. Jean-Francois Cyr and Francois-Pierre Guenette set up the equalizer.

Lewiston went on top 1-0 at 3:56 of the first period when Sheldon Wenzel stuffed one home courtesy of Alex Bourret and Maxime Robert.

It was the fourth goal for Wenzel, all in the last two road games. Wenzel had a hat trick in a 10-4 victory over Chicoutimi on Nov. 2.

Ramholt matched that effort with his second of the season, sneaking one past Matthew Davis at 5:39. Adam Pardy and Samuel Beland set it up.

Davis stopped 21 shots for the Maineiacs, four in overtime before Demers broke through.

The Maineiacs retrieved the lead midway through the second stanza. Mathieu Aubin delivered the go-ahead tally from Brandon Roach and Jonathan Paiement. Cape’s Martin Houle made 26 saves, including a dozen as Lewiston dominated play but failed to convert in the third period. He deflected three more in OT.

Lewiston travels to last-place Halifax tonight and concludes the weekend sojourn with a Monday ride to Moncton.