Vocal Minority of Readers: "Argh, stop with the Sarah Palin stuff! It has nothing to do with hockey, even though hockey has been an integral part of her biography, stump speeches and political iconography!"
Me: "So what happens if, for example, the Hockey Mom from Wasilla is invited to drop the puck in a ceremonial face-off before an NHL game in a swing state? Say, for example, Philadelphia, Pa. This weekend. At the New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia Flyers home opener."
Vocal Minority of Readers: "..."
From the Flyers, via the Philadelphia Inquirer:
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, the nation's most popular hockey mom, will join the winner of the Philadelphia Flyers regional search for the "Ultimate Hockey Mom" contest and drop the puck at the ceremonial opening face-off as the home team Flyers host the New York Rangers at the Wachovia Center on Saturday, October 11 at 7 p.m.
"Because of the tremendous amount of publicity she has brought to our sport, we invited the most popular hockey mom in North America to our home opener to help us get our season started," said Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider who founded the Flyers in 1967. "We are very excited she has accepted our offer and we are very proud of the publicity she is generating for hockey moms and the sport of hockey."
Nathan Gorenstein of the Inquirer wonders how Philadelphia fans will receive the governor of Alaska: "This is Philly, and we, don't forget, boo Santa Claus. Will the GOP buy up all the seats? Are hockey fans all Reagan Democrats? And are the Flyers taking a risk by doing what appears to be a political endorsement?"
Sports
I'm candid about my political leanings, and I've been to Philly enough to know this will fall on deaf ears, but I'll say it anyway: Polite applause will suffice. Don't be a jerk and boo her, or toss beer on the red carpet. Save that stuff for Bettman.
Alas, Matt P. from The 700 Level is skeptical that the Flyers fans will be on their best behavior.
Thanks to Puck Daddy reader Emidio Capponi for the tip.
