LEWISTON – Two very tired Slovakian hockey players were finally in Lewiston on Tuesday, ready to join the Lewiston Maineiacs in training camp. There was just one problem – their equipment was in London. Or Boston. Or somewhere in between.

Michal Korenko, 17, and Jaroslav Halak, 19, were tired but otherwise in fine shape after landing Monday night at Logan International Airport in Boston. After skipping the morning skate on Tuesday to rest up and start acclimating themselves to the six-hour time change, the two players appeared at Tuesday afternoon’s practice.

“We are happy to be here,” said Halak in broken English. “I am ready to go, but I cannot because I do not have my stuff to play.”

Halak is one of five goaltenders vying for two positions on the final roster, and one of two 19-year-old netminders along with Brandon Verge.

“I have seen him play in Montreal, and also for two years in Slovakia,” said Maineiacs head coach and general manager Clem Jodoin. “I know what he has, but it will be good when we can get him on skates and into practice.”

Korenko, meanwhile, also appeared at practice on Tuesday afternoon, and was able to scrounge up enough extra gear to skate with the team.

Speaking through Halak as an interpreter, Korenko, too, was happy just to be on the ground and able to play hockey again.

“I was very happy to land here and am ready to go,” said Korenko. “This is the first time on these skates, so it will be hard to adjust.”

Korenko is one of 13 defensemen left on the roster, and at 17 will be fighting for a spot among six other 17-year-old defensive prospects.

“He has good size, and he seems to play pretty well,” said Jodoin. “It will probably take a month or so before we can communicate well together, though.”

The fact that both Halak and Korenko are here together is no surprise. The two share the same agent and once Halak was drafted by the Maineiacs with their No. 1 pick in the European draft, Korenko seemed like a logical choice for pick No. 2.

Halak will also be playing closer to Montreal, which selected him in the 2003 NHL entry draft.

“I was in Montreal with the rookies from July 7 to July 19,” said Halak. “I will be there for their regular camp in September, too. It is closer to Montreal here.”

As for the competition for his position, Halak has paid little attention to it.

“I am here to stop the puck,” said Halak. “This is my job, and as soon as I have my gear, I will do that as good as I can.”

The team plays its first preseason game against Drummondville on Friday night at the Kennebec Ice Arena in Hallowell.