Frank Cipra has designed a new mask dedicated to American V.P. candidate Sarah Palin, which will be presented to her at a rally this week.

“I had a blast (making it),” said Cipra, who has created unique masks for the likes of NHL netminders Curtis Joseph, Vesa Toskala, Andrew Raycroft and John Grahame. A few years back he made two U2 masks while the famous band was touring in Canada. One of the masks sold for $30,000 with the money going to charity.

Very nice, and evidence found at The Onion would suggest that the protective equipment might come in handy next time Ms. Palin finds herself in this situation: