The Swedish hockey ladies took the lead in the placement match against Japan halfway into the first period.
After nine minutes and six seconds, Josefin Bouveng scored 1–0, played by Sofie Lundin and Hanna Olsson.
Despite a couple of sharp Japanese scoring chances, Emma Söderberg kept a clean sheet. The 1–0 lead lasted through the match, which takes Sweden on to the placement match against Finland on Sunday at 15:00 Swedish time.
The winner of that match takes fifth place in the championship and thus secures a place in the A group in the WC next year.
Finland advanced after an 8-2 win against Germany earlier in the night.
The Swedish women’s hockey team came close to breaking through in the quarter-finals against Canada on Friday night. After a late equaliser, the Swedish ladies finally fell in extra time. The match ended 3–2 to Canada, who advance to the semifinals against Switzerland on Saturday at 10 p.m. Swedish time.
The other semi-final is between the USA and the Czech Republic, starting at 18:00 Swedish time.