Japan into 2018 Winter Games ice hockey final qualifiers

Japan into 2018 Winter Games ice hockey final qualifiers

Japanese ice hockey players celebrate after beating Ukraine 2-1 in Sapporo on Feb. 14, 2016, to advance to the final qualifiers for the Pyongchang Olympics. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan into 2018 Winter Games ice hockey final qualifiers

Japan into 2018 Winter Games ice hockey final qualifiers

Daisuke Obara of Japan (L) scores his side's second goal during the third period of a game against Ukraine in Sapporo on Feb. 14, 2016. Japan won 2-1 to advance to the final qualifiers for the Pyongchang Olympics. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan into 2018 Winter Games ice hockey final qualifiers

Japan into 2018 Winter Games ice hockey final qualifiers

Japanese ice hockey players celebrate after beating Ukraine 2-1 in Sapporo on Feb. 14, 2016, to advance to the final qualifiers for the Pyongchang Olympics. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Pyeongchang Olympics

Pyeongchang Olympics

Tourists from the United States pose for photos in front of a structure showing the Olympic rings near the Pyongchang Olympic Stadium ahead of the opening ceremony of the Games on Feb. 9, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Pyeongchang Olympics

Pyeongchang Olympics

People waiting for the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics pose for photos near the Pyongchang Olympic Stadium on Feb. 9, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan's men miss out on ice hockey berth with Latvia loss

Japan's men miss out on ice hockey berth with Latvia loss

Japan's ice hockey players show disappointment after losing 3-1 to Latvia in a final qualifier for the 2018 Pyongchang Olympics on Sept. 2, 2016, in Riga. Japan missed out on a place in the upcoming Olympics. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan's men miss out on ice hockey berth with Latvia loss

Japan's men miss out on ice hockey berth with Latvia loss

Japan's men's ice hockey team faces off against Latvia in a final qualifier for the 2018 Pyongchang Olympics on Sept. 2, 2016, in Riga. Losing 3-1 to Latvia for its second straight defeat in the final qualifiers, Japan missed out on a place in the upcoming Olympics. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo