LEWISTON – Ready or not, it’s go time.

With a new coach and general manager, new systems and several new faces sitting on the bench, the Lewiston Maineiacs are prepared to begin their second season Friday night in Halifax.

Well, as prepared as they can be.

“We are not perfect,” said coach Clem Jodoin. “That is something I always try to be even though it is impossible. I always expect more from the team, and I know we are not all the way to where we need to be, but we are as ready as we can be for this weekend, and for the season. There are some things I still want to work on, but we will keep that for later. Right now, we have a game to play on Friday.”

The Maineiacs will land in Halifax to play the Mooseheads, one of last year’s worst teams statistically. But the Mooseheads have retooled, and boast a strong lineup with three 20-year-olds, nine 19s and seven 18s.

“That, for me, is what I have to look at,” said Jodoin. “The league is like a jungle for me, because I have not been here in a few years. I have to look at the ages of the teams and then watch as we play. All I can worry about is how this team plays.”

As the season begins, fans, coaches and players are starting to take stock of what remains from a middle-of-the pack team from a year ago.

At the top, Alexandre Picard, Alex Bourret, Mathieu Aubin, Marc-Andre Cliche and Sheldon Wenzel will be the core of an otherwise young offense that will have its work cut out against a solid, more experienced Halifax defense.

Jason Churchill, the Mooseheads’ No. 1 goaltender, has led his team to two ties so far this season (1-1 and 3-3) against some top competition (P.E.I. and Cape Breton).

“We will face a lot of adversity this season,” said Jodoin. “We will be missing players at certain times during the season, with different tournaments and teams, and everyone will have to contribute.”

Adversity will start early. The team learned this week that Slovakian players – No. 1 goaltender Jaroslav Halak and defenseman Michal Korenko – will miss the first road trip due to visa issues.

“They are important pieces to this team,” said Jodoin. “We want to play Halak about 40-45 games this year, and Jonathan Bernier between 20 and 25. Bernier is going to get some right off the start.”

Bernier, whose older brother plays for Halifax, says he’s ready.

Fast, young, and seemingly unfazed by all of the tension of starting a week later than the rest of the league, the Maineiacs will start their second season Friday in front of a biased crowd at the Halifax Metro Centre – ready or not.

Who: Lewiston Maineiacs (0-0) at Halifax Mooseheads (0-0-2)

What: Maineiacs season-opening game

Where: Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia

When: Friday, Sept. 24, 7 p.m.

Upcoming games: Lewiston at Moncton (2-1-0), Sunday, Sept. 26

Lewiston at Cape Breton (0-2-1), Tuesday, Sept. 28