Oct 11, 2008 7:47 pm US/Central
'Hockey Mom' Palin Drops Puck At Flyers' Game
PHILADELPHIA (AP) ―
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Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin and Flyers 'Hockey Mom' contest winner Cathy O'Connell drop the first puck between Scott Gomez of the New York Rangers and Mike Richards of the Philadelphia Flyers on Oct. 11, 2008, in Philadelphia, Pa.
Len Redkoles/Getty Images
Sarah Palin is hoping John McCain's campaign isn't on ice, but that's exactly where the GOP vice presidential nominee was Saturday in Philadelphia.
Palin was booed when she first stepped on the ice before the Flyers' home opener against the New York Rangers to drop the ceremonial first puck. Palin, the Alaska governor and self-described "hockey mom," is trying to turn Pennsylvania into a red state.
Palin waved to the crowd and smiled as the reaction quickly turned to polite applause. Her hair down and wearing her Tina Fey-glasses and a coat, Palin dropped the puck between Flyers center Mike Richards and Rangers center Scott Gomez. Gomez is from Alaska.
Cathy O'Connell, of Erdenheim, Pa., joined Palin on the ice as the winner of a team promotion for the "Ultimate Hockey Mom."
Last month, Palin visited a Philadelphia bar with Flyers owner Ed Snider, who has donated money to Republican presidential nominee John McCain's campaign.
The NHL said it did not view the Flyers' invitation to be politically motivated.
"Governor Palin is a supporter of the sport, which she has proclaimed publicly," said NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly. "As a public figure who has a very public connection with hockey, her recent associations with the Flyers and other NHL franchises is not surprising and, in our view, not inappropriate."
There were no apparent signs of protest outside the arena, and one fan held a sign that read "Vote Obama" behind New York's net. A few other held "Obama-Biden" signs behind her.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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