Japan finished with its best showing in women's Olympic ice hockey Tuesday at the Pyeongchang Winter Games despite going down 1-0 to Switzerland in its final match.
A solo goal from Evelina Raselli in the opening period proved the difference in the fifth- and sixth-place playoff between two sides which met the previous week in Group B.
Switzerland beat Japan 3-1 on that occasion and once again looked on track for multiple goals when Raselli opened the scoring after just 3 minutes, 19 seconds.
After having her attempt on goal blocked by Swiss goalie Florence Schelling, Japan defender Akane Hosoyamada was still out of position when Raselli picked up the puck at center ice. The 25-year-old forward wasted no time exploiting the opening, breaking away and beating Japan goalie Nana Fujimoto one on one.
Japan was the more aggressive side in the second period, putting seven shots on goal to Switzerland's one and repeatedly placing goaltender Schelling under pressure in the closing minutes.
Switzerland appeared to have doubled the lead in the 45th minute when forward Lara Stalder beat Fujimoto from directly in front, but the attempt was immediately waved off for goaltender interference, with forward Isabel Waidacher ruled inside the crease.
Japan was eliminated from medal contention after finishing third in Group B following last week's loss to Switzerland and a 2-1 defeat against Sweden.
The team achieved Japan's first-ever win in women's ice hockey with a 4-1 group stage victory over the combined North and South Korean team, then backed it up by beating Sweden 2-1 on Sunday in its opening game in the classification bracket to determine the fifth- to eighth-placed teams.
Japan's sixth-place finish equals its placing at the 1998 Nagano Games, but only six teams contested that tournament, with Japan going winless.