Looking back on it, Ryan Kuntz doesn't think there was anything more they could have done.

Like many other players on the Red Wings' roster, the Regina native was back in his hometown on Friday, sent home last week after the Red Wings' season was brought to an abrupt end on March 8.

That's when, despite their best efforts, the Red Wings fell in Game 7 of their Sherwood Conference playoff series against the Humboldt Broncos. The final score of the March 8 road game was 2-1 for Humboldt.

To say it was heartbreaking is a vast understatement. Weyburn had been poised to sweep Humboldt in four games, after taking a 3-0 lead in the Survivor Series.

Then, Humboldt rebounded on the strength of an exceptional goaltender, Nathan Hienen. In Game 4, the Wings failed to solve Hienen's goaltending despite 13 power play opportunities; in Game 6, he blocked 56 shots from Weyburn over four periods of play.

It was obvious that, for the most part, Weyburn dominated those final four games with Humboldt, but just couldn't solve Hienen's goaltending. The final four matches were lost by just one goal.

"It's not like the effort wasn't there," said Kuntz. "We know that we outplayed them."

"We know that, when we're on top of our game, we're a tough team to beat. I think that the coaches believe in us, too.

"They (Dwight McMillan and Darcy Pindus) came in at the end of the season and they told us that we deserved to win this series, and the best team didn't win.

"I think hearing that from them probably inspired us more than anything," Kuntz said.

Looking back on the 2004-2005 season, Kuntz said the Wings got off to a weak start and had problems gelling as a team, but after Christmas they picked it up and had a solid second half.

"I think the biggest thing was the guys started coming together in the (locker) room," said Kuntz.

The Red Wings now have two months before the onset of the 2005 RBC Royal Bank Cup, which runs May 7-15 in Weyburn.

Weyburn, as the host community, will be one of the teams entered in the tournament.

The Wings will have some time off before returning for practices. But even during their down time, Kuntz thinks players will be practicing their skating and working out. They've got a national championship to try for in May.

"As far as we're concerned, we're still playing hockey," he said.

Although it would be enough to dishearten anybody, Kuntz said he doesn't think the loss to Humboldt will be hanging over their heads upon their return.

"You can't really dwell on this loss. We've got to move forward and realize that, come May, we're going to have a big test for us," he said.