ST. LOUIS–Blues goalie Manny Legace left after one period last night with a hip injury that occurred when he slipped on the carpet placed on the ice for Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

The Alaska governor dropped the ceremonial first puck before the Blues hosted the Los Angeles Kings. A narrow carpet walkway was placed from the gate at the Blues bench for Palin, her husband and two of her daughters to walk to centre ice.

Just before the ceremony, Legace was the first player onto the ice for St. Louis. A team official pointed to the carpet, but as Legace stepped onto it with his skate he fell, then gingerly made his way to the crease.

After that, the team official rolled up enough of the carpet so other players wouldn't have to step on it.

Legace described the injury as a strained left hip flexor. He doesn't believe it is serious but said it is painful. He said he won't play tonight when the Blues host Florida, but wasn't sure if he'd miss any additional games.

"I felt a pull right away," Legace said. "I was hoping it would just go away.''

But after making his first save, the injury felt worse, Legace said. He played one period, giving up two goals on 12 shots. He was replaced by 6-foot-7 rookie Ben Bishop.

Legace didn't blame Palin.

"She's been pretty good for our game," Legace said. "I'm starting to like her more and more. No grudge.''

Palin received more cheers than boos at the start of the game, a contrast to her appearance at a Flyers game Oct. 11, when she was roundly jeered by fans.