Squash players filled up the three courts at the back of Better Bodies last weekend for the Yukon Closed Squash Tournament.

It was called the closed tournament because it was only Yukon players permitted to register. If you aren't from the territory but you want your chance to compete in a Yukon tournament, don't fret: that opportunity will come in May during the Squash Yukon Open 2020.

Squash tournaments tend to bring out plenty of athletes to compete - and last weekend was no different. Players were divided into three divisions, Mixed A, B, C, and Novice. As well, an exhibition game was played between two of the territory’s top players, Julien Revel and Jeffrey Muirhead.

In the Mixed C division, Logan Godin and Kyle Nault made it unbeaten through the bracket to book their ticket in the championship game.

Nault took a 2-1 lead in the best of five match but Godin made an impressive comeback to take the final two games, 11-6, 11-4, en route to the title.

When the fellow athletes weren't playing, they gathered around the glass to watch the matches. In Godin's case, his former coach, Marie Desmarais, was on hand and he said she is what inspired the comeback.

"I knew Marie was watching me," said a laughing Godin. "She was my old coach from back in the day."

Godin gave props to his opponent Nault, saying he is a good competitor who made him work for the win.

For the third sport in Mixed C, Erika Joubert dispatched Brian Pehora in four games.

Standing between Rannon Johnson, one of the territory's young, up-and-coming players, and the Mixed B title was Carly Bohman. In three games, Johnson was able to claim the division's top spot.

"I'm feeling good," said Johnson. "I didn't expect to win. I've played my opponent before and she beat me three love."

When Johnson lost to Bohman in previous matches, he said Bohman used "killer drops" that he wasn't able to get to.

During the final, Johnson said he was running a lot faster and making some good drops.

"That was the difference," said Johnson.

Johnson's first-place finish in Mixed B came in his first competition in the category.

"It's exciting," said Johnson. "My mother said that I should be in Mixed C so this is kind of a proven her wrong moment.

"I don't think I've won a tournament outside of the junior bracket."

Lara-Rae Trotter outlasted Pete Murdoch in a five-game match for third.

Stephen Buckler and Erik Jacobsen provided the audience with a five-game marathon. Buckler won the first two games before Jacobsen came roaring back to force the deciding game.

Buckler was able to hold on and take the fifth 11-5 to win the Mixed A bracket. His win proved to be redemption from the last time he played Jacobsen.

"He beat me the last time I played him," said Buckler. "I was shook going into it, but the nerves went away quickly. It's all muscle memory."

Buckler said when he lost to Jacobsen, he attacked his backhand so he made the adjustment.

"Now, this is top secret, but my backhand is not as strong as my forehand," said Buckler. "He was always hitting it to my backhand. I caught onto that and tried to get it onto my forehand.

"It worked in the first and second game. The third and fourth game, I just couldn't do it. He has a much better backhand than me and he just punished me."

Buckler said he and Jacobsen have played each other about 10 times this season so every game is a chess match.

"We know each other's game pretty well," said Buckler. "It’s kind of more fun because there is a little bit of a mind game as well."

Ivan Johnson defeated Will Chetcuti in four games to take third.

In the exhibition game, Revel won in straight games 11-7, 11-7, 15-13.

Emilie Bouchard was the Mixed Novice winner. Bouchard went 3-0 to take the top spot. Runner up was Aurora Tarakaj.

Squash Yukon's biggest tournament of the year, the Yukon Open, will be held on the first three days of May. Buckler, who is president of Squash Yukon, said there will be players from the N.W.T., Alberta and B.C.

"It's the big final season squash extravaganza," said Buckler.