While winning the Calder Cup was sweet for most of the players and staff of the Hershey Bears, it was just a bit sweeter for its grittiest player and the team's head coach.

This season was Hershey left wing Quintin Laing's ninth pro hockey season. With the Washington Capitals and Hershey Bears heading toward the regular-season finish line, both teams looked to have a chance to win a championship, something he had never experienced.

Then came a spleen injury and it appeared his season was done.

Coach Bob Woods nearly always took a verbal shot or two from some fans whenever the Bears hit a rough patch in the schedule. Imagine his thoughts when raising that Cup on Manitoba ice Friday night.

But back to Laing, who may have appreciated Hershey's capturing the Calder Cup more than anyone.

On recall to the Capitals in mid-March, Laing attempted an open-ice hit on one of the Tampa Bay Lightning players. Pretty soon, he was dizzy and feeling light-headed. Then his shoulder ached.

A trip to the hospital confirmed that he had torn his spleen and broken a rib. At that point, doctors told him his season was over.

Those title hopes? Dashed.

He came back to Hershey and started the healing process. He started hearing that, if the Bears were still playing, he might be able to return to the lineup in late May or June.

"You try to stay positive after injuries happen," Laing said Saturday, prior to a Calder Cup celebration at Giant Center. "After we beat Wilkes-Barre, I knew I'd have a shot at being part of the playoffs."

So he watched and waited and hoped that his teammates could win another series so he could get back on the ice. As good as Hershey was this year, nothing was guaranteed. Remember, the Bears trailed the Penguins three games to two before winning Games 6 and 7 to take the series.

"Hats off to them for winning two elimination games," Laing said. "At the time, I thought if they can pull it off, I'd have a chance to get in there."

Laing, 29, would have been part of Hershey's championship even if he hadn't taken the ice in the playoffs. He was an integral part of getting the team to the postseason. But it wouldn't have been the same.

"Once you get into midget and juniors, it's all about winning the last game of the year," he said. "When you get drafted and turn pro, it's all about coming together as a team and working toward a goal and it's so, so tough. So many things have to go your way."

For Laing, everything did.

•••

Ever since he was given Hershey's reins a season and a half ago, succeeding current Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau, Bob Woods has been a target of the anonymous-writing hockey experts in central Pennsylvania.

Even as late as last week, with the Bears leading the Calder Cup finals three games to one, Woods was painted as the target of blame, "if the Bears blow this lead."

Hershey didn't blow it, which has certainly broadened Woods' smile, particularly in the face of the naysayers.

"Your critics are people who motivate you," said Woods, not one to gloat. "Nobody knows my locker room better than I do. Fans don't get to see everything and there are many things that go into decisions, whether it's the way we're developing players and how their contracts affect playing time.

"But it's my job to do what I think is in the best interest of both the Capitals and the Bears."

Minor league coaches and managers have tough tasks in that they have to develop and win at the same time. Helping Woods has been some astute drafting by the Capitals and Hershey general manager Doug Yingst's ability to land quality veterans.

"There's a lot of pressure and a lot of expectations," said Woods, 41. "It's tough at times. But I would rather be in an environment like here where people care than being somewhere where there is nobody in the stands."

With Washington assistant coach Jay Leach not returning to the Capitals next season, there has been speculation that Woods will join Boudreau as his assistant.

If Washington gave him the choice to either join Boudreau or stay in Hershey, which would Woods choose?

"I just don't know," he said. "There are a lot of factors involved. I loved working with Bruce and would love to be in the NHL but Hershey is a great spot and my wife has a great job (as a teacher). It's a great town and a great place to coach."

Even when you count all the cynics.

E-mail: kfreeman@lnpnews.com