"Bruins goalie Tim Thomas waded into political waters again yesterday, declaring on his Facebook page, "I Stand with the Catholics in the fight for Religious Freedom."

While he didn't say so explicitly, and he wasn't immediately available for further comment, the post could be in response to the Obama administration's directive that all insurance plans, including those offered by religious-affiliated schools and hospitals, provide women free access to contraceptives. The new policy has set off a firestorm of controversy among religious groups, especially Catholics, who say the requirement would force them to violate church teachings and long-held beliefs against contraception. Republican lawmakers also are pushing back against the rule."