New York, October 13 : U. S. Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin was booed by Philadelphia ice hockey fans when she dropped the ceremonial first puck at centre ice prior to the Flyers'' season opener against the Rangers at the Wachovia Center on Friday night.

Loud boos rained down when she walked out on the ice just after 7 p. m. with her daughters Willow and Piper.

The Governor of Alaska greeted the Rangers'' Scott Gomez, the Flyers'' Mike Richards and Cathy O''Connell, who had won the team''s "Ultimate Hockey Mom" contest.

"It was hard to tell. I''m an independent, but I think she''s a very inspiring woman, especially since she''s a working mom like I am," the New York Daily News quoted O''Connell, an accountant for Sunoco, as replying to a question as to what she heard standing next to Palin.

O''Connell said that Palin gave her a hug off the ice.

The news that Palin would appear at the game had already raised questions about the propriety of her appearance, as Flyers'' owner Ed Snider is a heavy contributor to John McCain''s presidential campaign. (ANI)