Marco Sturm couldn't hide the sting of elimination, but the Boston Bruins head coach made it clear: he's incredibly proud of what his team accomplished this season.

The Bruins fell 4-1 to the Buffalo Sabres in Game 6 on home ice Friday, ending their playoff run in the first round. It was a tough loss to swallow, especially after such a memorable campaign, but Sturm focused on the bigger picture when addressing his players afterward.

"It sucks, right? Getting kicked out of the playoffs, it hurts. Absolutely, it hurts," Sturm said postgame. "But also, I reminded them what kind of season they played. I just wanted them to know how proud I am."

Boston entered the year with low expectations from many pundits, but the Bruins defied the doubters. They secured a Wild Card spot and finished as the top team in that group, proving they belonged on the big stage. For a squad that wasn't supposed to be here, they made a statement.

"Why do we feel the pressure? Because we care. I think guys care," Sturm added. "They wanted to prove everyone wrong… That's sometimes how it goes. But again, it's not lack of effort, it's not lack of attitude."

That fight was evident all season, and Sturm credited the team's character for their surprising success. "These guys care, I can tell you that. We're here for a reason. Played a hell of a season because of the character we have in that room, and unfortunately, we came up short."

Now, the focus shifts to next year. Goaltender Jeremy Swayman, a key piece of Boston's future, believes this is just the beginning. "I think we'll take a little bit to soak in what we accomplished this year," Swayman said. "I think one of my favorite things about this group is that when we made playoffs, it was a success, but it wasn't enough. That was a really telltale sign of what kind of group we have here. I think we have a lot to be proud of and definitely a lot to work on, too."

For Bruins fans, the message is clear: this team is building something special. And with the right gear and mindset, they're ready to come back stronger.