LEWISTON – Chances are, none of the Lewiston Maineiacs’ skaters planned to be out shopping this morning. One day after everyone gorged themselves on turkey and stuffing, the Maineiacs are hoping to avoid a post-Thanksgiving letdown when they host Val d’Or tonight at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee.

Tonight’s game is the Foreurs’ first and only appearance here this season, and will be the final meeting of two between last year’s league finalists.

“They had a lot of 19-year-old players last season,” Maineiacs’ coach Ed Harding said, “but they also have argueably the best player in the league, and any time you have that element, it’s dangerous.”

Harding was refering to Brad Marchand, who has played on two QMJHL finalists in two seasons (Moncton in 2006, Val d’Or last season). Marchand is also a strong candidate to make this year’s Canadian National Junior squad, having performed well this week in the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge.

The only real way to slow Marchand down is to have 10 guys out on the ice,” Harding quipped. “I don’t think the league is going to let me do that.”

With all of the praise Harding placed on Marchand, he was also quick to point out that the Foreurs aren’t unstoppable. They did lose most of the big guns they had last season, and their defense is young, though playing well for its collective age.

On the home side, Lewiston will welcome back Jonathan Bernier and Kevin Marshall after each played in the Canada-Russia Challenge this week. Marshall played in both games, which Bernier backstopped the QMJHL’s victory Wednesday with a 21-save effort. He also stopped four shots in the shootout.

Because of that trip, though, the Maineiacs are going to be careful, especially with Marshall.

“He’s now going to be on his sixth game in eight days,” Harding pointed out. “That’s not healthy. Kevin’s going to have a lot of leeway with me this weekend.”

Good news from the Maineiacs came Thursday as David Taylor has been cleared to play after sitting out several games with a head injury.

Todd Chinova remains day-to-day.

Following tonight’s tilt, Lewiston gets a day off, and will then host St. John’s in a Sunday matinee. The Fog Devils are coming off a brutal road trip last week, and are back on the road this week.

“They’re a little banged up right now,” Harding said, “but the Brennan kid (T.J. Brennan) on the point is dangerous, and (Jean-Simon) Allard is developing into a pretty good player. They have three 20-year-olds who are tough and gritty. We’re expecting a tough, physical game Sunday.”

The Maineiacs are currently clinging to third place in the Eastern Division, but are closing in on second-place Cape Breton, which has lost five in a row.