Estevan Bruins players and coaches were sentimental following their final game of a marathon season that spanned a full eight months.

The Bruins bowed out of the Centennial Cup Wednesday night after a 4-0 loss to the top seeded Brooks Bandits. Estevan finished the tournament 1-3, a surprising result given the championship the team captured earlier in the month.

"We knew we wanted to just give back to the community one more time, and put on one more show," said defenceman Dayton Deics, who spent parts of three seasons in a Bruins uniform. "The boys kept together...it's hard to come back together after knowing we were out (of playoff contention). And I'm really proud of the guys."

The Bruins captured the SJHL championship on May 6, winning game 7 against the Flin Flon Bombers in the league finals in front of their home fans. It was the first championship for the organization in 23 years.

"Super proud," said captain Eric Houk following the Brooks defeat. "It was an awesome place to come as a 20-year-old. I met a lot of great people here, especially my billets, the coaching staff, everyone involved with the team...it was just really cool to be a part of it. Obviously the championship within our league is something we're going to remember for the rest of our lives."

Deics and Houk are part of the group of 20 and 21-year-olds who will now be moving on from Junior A hockey, a group that also includes forwards Mark Rumsey, Olivier Pouliot, Mikol Sartor, and Eric Pearce, along with defenceman Nolan Jones and goaltender Boston Bilous.

Head coach and GM Jason Tatarnic was impressed with his team's resolve given the circumstances.

"I guess it shows what type of team we are in terms of our character," Tatarnic said. "We acted with class and professionalism. Even through out the whole tournament, we were down, and we kept a positive attitude."

"It's a learning experience, and I'm just really proud of how they conducted themselves."

Tatarnic was already looking ahead to next season just minutes after the final buzzer sounded Wednesday night.

"I don't feel we're done yet winning championships, and that's never been my mindset anywhere I've been. I was never happy with just one. So there's more to be chased," he said.

Perhaps Dayton Deics summed up the season best before he left Affinity Place Wednesday evening.

"I couldn't be happier actually," Deics said. "It's been a hell of a year, and now all finished up, I can look everyone in the eye and say thanks for being my best friend, my brother...and move on."