Finland survived relegation as they beat Latvia 4-1 to win the three-game series ©IIHF

Finland survived relegation as they beat Latvia 4-1 to win a three-game series and secure their spot at the 2018 edition of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championships.

The Finnish side became the first defending champions in the history of the tournament to drop into the relegation round but ensured they will remain at the top level with a comfortable victory at the Centre Bell sports complex in Montreal.

Their ninth-place finish at this year's event in Canada represents Finland’s worst performance at any IIHF competition since 1955.

As a result of the 2-0 series defeat, Latvia have been consigned to the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey Under-20 World Championship Division I Group A.

Having won the opening encounter yesterday, Finland knew another triumph would guarantee them a place at the 2018 competition in Buffalo in New York.

They began on the front foot and took the lead early on as Eeli Tolvanen's effort sailed high into the net.

Renards Krastenbergs equalised for Latvia with just over three-and-a-half minutes remaining in the first period, with a rasping drive that proved too good for Finland goaltender Veini Vehvilainen.

Finland then struggled to break their opponents down and had to wait until the third stanza to edge in front as Villi Saarijarvi scored before they quickly added a third through Juuso Valimaki to put the game beyond the reach of the Latvians.

Valimaki netted his second and his side's fourth late on.

Finland survived an embarrassing drop into the second tier with a comfortable 4-1 win ©IIHF
Finland survived an embarrassing drop into the second tier with a comfortable 4-1 win ©IIHF

"There was pretty much zero confidence after those first three games," Finland captain Olli Juolevi said of losing to the Czechs, Danes and Swedes during the tournament.

"It was tough.

"But we stayed together and we believed we had to be patient and we could score those goals, especially in the last two games.

"It was not easy when you can’t score that many goals."

Latvia have now only avoided relegation twice in their history, in 2009 and 2012, but Krastenbergs remains confident they will return to the top tier at the first time of asking.

"We'll be back," said Krastenbergs.

"We’ll go [to Division I] next year, we’ll win, and we’ll come back better."

The tournament continues tomorrow with the two semi-finals as the United States go up against Russia and Sweden take on hosts Canada.