Despite Edit Danielsson's leading goal after more than half of the first period, the Swedish women quickly found themselves in a precarious situation.
Bang, bang, bang, and Japan took a 3-1 lead less than five minutes into the middle period, which would offer so much more in terms of goals. Matilda Österman reduced the lead and Linn Mattsson equalized before Japan regained control of the match in Vanda, Finland.
Sweden frantically chased an equalizer, and eventually, it came. Edit Danielsson's second goal of the match stood as the only one in the final period.
Japan was extremely close to a winning goal already in the first attack of the overtime, but then Edit Danielsson intervened again. At the goal line, she coolly and skillfully deflected the puck on the volley.
A heavy Swedish pressure followed for most of the overtime, but it wasn't until 11 seconds remained that Ebba Hesselvall scored the winner.
The USA won simultaneously with a clear 5-0 against Finland, and the American women took home the group victory with Sweden closest behind. Therefore, Sweden will face Switzerland, third in the other group, in the quarterfinal on Thursday.
In 2023, Sweden unexpectedly took silver on home soil in Östersund.
