Sarah Palin is calling on conservatives to help send Republican Tom Emmer to Congress to "put career politicians in the penalty box."

In a Facebook post packed with hockey references, Palin wrote: "This former hockey player, coach, and current hockey dad won't have any patience for their 'gross misconduct.'"

Palin, the former Alaska governor and 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee, is widely respected by conservative activists. But Emmer likely won't need much outside help to win the race to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann.

The Sixth Congressional District is the most Republican-leaning seat in the state and Emmer, a former state representative and conservative radio talk show host from Delano, is a heavy favorite to defeat Democrat Joe Perske in November.

Palin also backed Emmer's 2010 bid for governor and waded into Minnesota politics earlier this year when she endorsed Republican Julianne Ortman in the U.S. Senate race. Ortman ultimately lost the party endorsement to businessman Mike McFadden.