Oct. 10 (Bloomberg) -- Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, who calls herself a ``hockey mom,'' will drop the ceremonial opening puck at tomorrow night's Philadelphia Flyers season-opener at home against the New York Rangers.

The National Hockey League team said the Alaska governor's appearance at the Wachovia Center is tied to the Flyers' promotion to find the ``Ultimate Hockey Mom.'' During Palin's acceptance speech to be John McCain's running mate last month, she joked that the difference between a hockey mom and a pitbull was lipstick.

``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,'' Flyers Chairman Ed Snider said in a statement.

Snider has donated $25,000 to the McCain campaign and the Republican National Committee, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Flyers spokesmen Zack Hill and Joe Klueg didn't immediately return calls for comment.

Democratic Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, while running for president in 2004, threw out the first pitch before a Boston Red Sox-New York Yankees game at Fenway Park.

The Republicans are focusing on Pennsylvania, which has gone Democratic in the past four presidential elections. McCain campaigned in Bethlehem two days ago. Barack Obama, the Democratic candidate, has a 50 percent to 40 percent lead over McCain in Pennsylvania, according to a Morning Call/Muhlenberg College tracking poll.

The state has 21 electoral votes; 270 are needed to win.

To contact the reporter on this story: Danielle Sessa in New York at dsessa@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: October 10, 2008 13:04 EDT