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The Philadelphia Flyers fans greet Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on opening night against the New York Rangers. And the Wachovia Center speaker system has the final say:

Metallica just politely asked to turn the volume down on that music. (UPDATE 8:30 p.m. EDT: The sound quality of the original video was a little poor, so we swapped it out for a newer one -- the boos are a tad more prominent than before. Check out the original YouTube here.)

Behind the music, you'll have heard a mix of cheers and boos; and as predicted, the lower bowl near the glass was in a standing ovation. (Except for whoever was holding up that Obama/Biden sign. Viral!) In the end, the boos won out because this is, after all, Philadelphia. But it wasn't the vicious hellfire that some predicted. No one threw a beer at her. Probably because they didn't want to hit her daughter. Or waste the beer.

One point of criticism that may cut across party lines: The most famous hockey mom in American doesn't come out in a jersey? C'mon now.

More reaction from The 700 Level, which participated in our predication/analysis roundtable on the Flyers' invitation to Palin.

For the record, the Rangers announcers earlier claimed that Philadelphia fans once "snowballed Santa Claus" at an Eagles game.

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  1. TheTick
    1. Posted by TheTick Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:29 pm EDT

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    "Probably because they didn't want to hit her daughter."
    Hey, I'd hit both of them. Wait, what?
  2. Slaky
    2. Posted by Slaky Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:45 pm EDT

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    Sounds like deafening boos to me.
  3. J-D
    3. Posted by J-D Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:31 pm EDT

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    And then the Rangers hit the Flyers up for four goals in the first period. The scent of EPIC FAIL is strong with that one.
  4. Larry Sellers
    4. Posted by Larry Sellers Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:35 pm EDT

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    The disintered look of the flyers on the bench (most of them sitting nonetheless) is priceless.
  5. Firebird7478
    5. Posted by Firebird7478 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:25 pm EDT

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    Geez, the Santa snowball incident. That happened 40 years ago, and a Republican was in the White House. People need to let that one go! You don't even know the true story behind that incident. When you learn it, come back and see me, then we'll talk. Until then, knock it off! New York fans seem to have selective memories, don't they? Aren't Giants fans the ones that knocked out a trainer for the Dallas Cowboys a number of years ago by throwing an ice ball at Giants Stadium from the upper levels, hitting him in the back of the head?
  6. EAGLE1
    6. Posted by EAGLE1 Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:32 pm EDT

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    There goes the Flyers season. After waiting for a new start Why Palin!!!! Now I have to wait another year. I feel just like the Cubs Fan.
  7. bleedorangenblack
    7. Posted by bleedorangenblack Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:09 pm EDT

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    The Booing was deafening a lot of people turned their backs, but the best was the guy with a sign that said, " I can see the end of your political career from my house" I love the way they turned the mikes down for TV and kept them on more for Metallica to try to drown out the boos, She should have worn her Rangers sweater, they got both of the Alaskan players.......Snider / Failin Palin jinxed the opener
  8. Fineashoe
    8. Posted by Fineashoe Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:23 pm EDT

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    Flyers better hope that the losing from the McCain Palin doesn't rub off on them - so far she's been bad luck in this game. By the way, what's with the trench coat? Will she be making an appearance at Al's Diamond Cabaret later?
  9. Xander
    9. Posted by Xander Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:33 pm EDT

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    Kind of sad Philly has to cheat to stay in this game. What was that 2nd goal where Valiquette got bowled over? Bwahaha pathetic start to their season.
  10. Tom
    10. Posted by Tom Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:57 pm EDT

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    It's a good thing she had that trench coat on, or her legs would have been covered with slober after doing the Coatsey's Corner interview
  11. Adam Crook
    11. Posted by Adam Crook Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:45 pm EDT

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    OMG! Um...who is that woman? Sarah who? I don't know any Sarah's. I must of hit that beer bottle against my own head because I see Palins. Oh, crap, I remember now. I didn't want to remember.
  12. Tacks
    12. Posted by Tacks Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:51 pm EDT

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    What's going on with these goalie interferences not getting called. If it was Brodeur instead of Steve Valiquette or Joey Macdonald these guys would be getting game misconducts. And Peca gets suspended indefinitely? C'mon refs, get your $h17 together.
  13. Thomas A
    13. Posted by Thomas A Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:02 pm EDT

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    Ed Snider should be ashamed of the politic nonsense he organized for opening night. I am a Flyers' fan that lost much respect for Ed Snider tonight. Sarah Palin is a joke and Philadelphia fans deserve better. How about OBama drops the puck on Tuesday night, Ed?
  14. lee bonz
    14. Posted by lee bonz Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:48 pm EDT

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    once again the flyer fans show how classless they are nothing new im not suprised typical philly the city of brotherly losers
  15. MarkT
    15. Posted by MarkT Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:42 pm EDT

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    I was watching at home on Comcast sports net, and they obviously shut off every mic in the building just so no one could hear the boos.
  16. Corky
    16. Posted by Corky Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:18 pm EDT

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    Since the writer is clearly a liberal, and injects his political views in his column, I won't be reading it any longer. I'm a conservative who's sick of media liberals. You should get a job with MSNBC - you sound just like Olberman. All conservatives should boycott writers like Wyshynski.
  17. danfrombackhome
    17. Posted by danfrombackhome Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:35 pm EDT

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    Im a flyers fan who is a republican and I don't see the big deal honestly. I don't think it was done as a political stunt. It was to try to push hockey in a way. Everybody knows who Palin is right now and knows she is a hockey mom and all that. I think Snider was trying to help the greatest sport in the world. Like usual tho, bi partisan politics have to divide the country. It is pathetic. I bet if Obama dropped the puck everyone would say "Snider is the best ever lolz omg!1111" Seriously, the way americans act now a days make me realize how stupid we are and now I know why every other country hates us. Its because of fickle BS like this. Who cares its about the game not politics.
  18. youmakemesick
    18. Posted by youmakemesick Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:17 pm EDT

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    danfrombackhome...I completely agree. The lovely people who sat behind me actually ruined the game. They couldn't grasp the concept of why she was there. Being a season ticket holder, it really makes me want to move my seats now.
    Thank you for not letting me enjoy the game.
  19. onmyown
    19. Posted by onmyown Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:18 pm EDT

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    Not a surprise the Gomez the Mexican/Alaskan took part in the puck drop.
    Rub elbows with the people you have something in common with.
  20. youmakemesick
    20. Posted by youmakemesick Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:17 pm EDT

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    Oh yea, FYI Thomas A, the Flyers aren't playing Tuesday night.
  21. Hey Sailor!
    21. Posted by Hey Sailor! Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:45 pm EDT

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    "Since the writer is clearly a liberal, and injects his political views in his column, I won't be reading it any longer. I'm a conservative who's sick of media liberals. You should get a job with MSNBC - you sound just like Olberman. All conservatives should boycott writers like Wyshynski."
    OK, I was going to comment on the story - until I read the above. First off, this guy actually posts under the name "Corky". He either is not of age to remember "Life goes on" or is, well, retarded. Secondly, I just do not understand why anyone would slam-comment a BLOG (which, if I understand correctly, are all about personal opinion). It's cool to disagree, but Corky buddy, don't open a blog if you don't want to hear somebody's OPINION.
    It's OK, Corky, just go back to watching Fox (and check out their website too - you'll be another member of the choir they preach to!) and you'll be OK.
    By the way Greg, I thought you were totally smooth in your commentary about Palin. You could have taken it so much further - I applaud your restraint (and yet, given your obvious wit, am slightly disappointed).
  22. colorway@...
    22. Posted by colorway@... Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:28 pm EDT

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    Are you kidding me! Ranger unbeaten 4-0. Ranger defeat Flyers 4-3
    Look, why Palin come bring two girls to watching hockey game. Here the reason, 1. Rangers and Flyers fan don't like Palin because I heard they say BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! 2. I'm democratic, this why Obama and Biden win 3-0 by debate. They getting stop Republican 3. Obama won the Presidental this year but we don't know who wil be president. 4. NOOOOOOOOOOOO! Republican, Palin has abused to her power, do you know that Alaska had an oil pipline. She say '' I'm accepted Alaska and Russia come over the bridge 5. McCain is chosing wrong person, I'm thought if McCain choose the men to be vice president but why he choosed Palin, I felt depressed if they will be president this year, it will lose Wall street is going down. What people think Palin is stupid in whole world like don't know about everything. I'm a shark fan now. Do guy watch a second debate, I heard that Palin was scary that she skipped on economic and start about energy crisis and even she winked to all people in America include she speak too loud. Watch final debate start next tuesday between Obama and McCain. Please don't vote McCain and Palin because we thought McCain will retired or dead, Palin doesn't know economic even she want a war in Russia and it will close to "THE GREAT DEPRESSION IN 1930". Vote Obama and Biden, Yes we will changing everything and he need to figure out how Obama will handling government budget. Go Shark!
  23. Ed
    23. Posted by Ed Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:51 pm EDT

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    Cathy O’Connell of Erdenheim, Pa., joined Palin on the ice as the winner of a team promotion for the “Ultimate Hockey Mom.” This si why she had help dropping the puck.
  24. ZEBRA
    24. Posted by ZEBRA Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:34 pm EDT

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    I wouldn't expect anything less from the worst fans ever or should I say anywhere, of course you got to understand they live in a sports HE!!........It's always fun to watch a obnoxious fan from Philly get kicked out of an arena. And believe me I have seen it happen quite a few times. They don't know how to act outside of Philly nor do they understand it is not normal. I don't understand however how Palin ended up in SHI! town..ooopps! I mean Philly, I mean really of all the other rinks to go to she picks that place. Plus half of Philly fans are from Delware....................
  25. danfrombackhome
    25. Posted by danfrombackhome Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:35 pm EDT

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    Matthew L, you are the reason why I hate dems. You have to shove it down everyones throats my man. It is because your insecure about something or maybe because your really are the "racist" here and you use your "love" for Obama to cover up the fact that if you see a black man cross the street infront of you while your driving you automatically lock your door....Think about that. Your all the same, total hypocrites who want to take all our rights and make this ONCE great country like 1950's Russia....

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