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Speedskater Duffy earns pair of silvers at World Universiade by Herb Garbutt Oakville Beaver Staff 29 | Thursday, January 16, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Patrick Duffy strained for the finish line, stretching his right foot as far forward as he could, his arms outstretched like an airplane ready for takeoff. As he crossed the line, Duffy threw his hand in the air and extended his index finger, convinced he had just added a gold medal to the silver he earned a day earlier at the World Universiade. But as he circled the track in Trentino, Italy, he saw his coach holding his hand with his fingers in a V. While officials gathered to review the photo finish, Duffy and Hungary's Victor Knoch shook hands and congratulated each other on a great race, neither completely certain who had won. It would take a few more minutes to confirm what Duffy's coach had suspected. After racing for five kilometres for close to seven minutes, Knoch had edged Duffy at the line, winning by seven one-thousandths of a second. "It was a matter of centimetres. That was a little tough to swallow to lose by that much, especially since we led for most of the race," Duffy said of the short track speedskating relay final. "But it was fun. I don't think I've ever had a finish like that. Even our coach, Laurent Daignault, who is a legend in the sport, said that was the best finish he had seen." Though the colour of the medal may not have been what he hoped for, Duffy still returned home with two silvers, one-quarter of the entire Canadian contingent's medal count. Only Canada's men's and women's hockey teams won gold. A day earlier, the Concordia University student won a silver medal in the men's 500-metre. Duffy had not had high hopes for a medal in a deep field that included Knoch, who finished top eight at the world championships, and Hyobeen Patrick Duffy (second from left) turns a corner during the short track speedskating 500-metre final at the recent World Universiade.| photo submitted Lee, the 2012 world junior champion in the 500m. "It was pretty intimidating," Duffy said. "Honestly, I didn't expect a medal. You've got the Korean team and all the guys who have been to the world championships and Jinkyu Noh who was the world champion two years ago." If Duffy was worried about his competition, he didn't let it show on the ice. After winning his first heat, he established a World Universiade record of 41.433 seconds in the second. "That was quite a surprise," said Duffy, whose record would later be eclipsed by Lee in the semifinals. "Compared to the actual world record, it's quite a bit slower. But to break a record and lead start to finish, it was pretty cool and it was a nice confidence boost going into the later rounds." The timing was perfect as Duffy squared off against Knoch in the quarter-finals. Duffy posted his third straight win while the Hungarian was eliminated after finishing third. Duffy kept his winning streak going in the semifinals, when all five skaters were separated by less than four-tenths of a second. The 22-year-old Duffy began his career as a middle-distance skater but he's been excelling in 500m recently. "I didn't think of myself as a sprinter," he said. "Before, the 1,500 was a good distance for me. The past couple of years I've been doing well in the 500 and it's becoming a fun race for me. It's an all-out sprint but you have to keep calm. It's definitely a matter of patience." During the 500m final, Duffy saw his opening while in fourth place with three laps remaining. With the skaters from China and Japan setting up for a move on Lee, the race leader, Duffy seized the opportunity to slip past both of them into second place. China's Jingnan Shi passed Duffy with a lap to go, but Duffy regained his spot on the next corner and held off his challengers to claim the silver. The following day, he was a last-minute addition to the relay team and added another silver medal. Olympic-bound teammates inspirational Though Duffy won't be heading for Sochi, he said training alongside his Canadian teammates who will be is inspiring. Sharing the experience his friends will have over the next month will serve as motivation. In turn, Duffy hopes to inspire others in the sport. He said the Oakville Speed Skating Club played an important role in his career and would like to help others have the opportunities he has enjoyed. "As an anology, I was a little baby when I went there and they raised me," he said. "If I was ever in a rut, (OSSC president) Mark O'Donnell would take me into the office and figuratively slap me on the wrists. They're responsible for putting me where I am today. I'm carrying on what I learned there and hopefully I'll be able to go back and pass on what I've learned." Hornets hang with PWHL-leading Chiefs in loss Despite outshooting Provincial Women's Hockey League-leading Mississauga 23-18, the Oakville Hornets fell 4-2 to the visiting Chiefs Tuesday at Joshua's Creek Arenas. Cassidy MacPherson and Jordan Martin scored third-period goals for the Hornets, pulling Oakville into a 2-2 tie with 11 minutes remaining. However, Mississauga answered with a pair of power-play markers in the following six minutes to regain control of the contest. Oakville held a much greater edge in shots on goal in its previous loss, a 1-0 defeat Sunday in Aurora. The Hornets were unable to solve Panthers goalie Nicholle Kovach despite firing 35 shots on net. Aurora, which had 12 shots in the contest, scored the game's only goal early in the second period. The Hornets won their other game in the past week, a 5-2 decision over the the Ottawa Lady Senators Friday at Joshua's Creek. Kirsten Miller scored twice, Jennifer MacAskill and Laura Magliocchi contributed two assists each, and Christina Putigna, Lauren Patterson and Cassidy MacPherson also scored goals in support of winning goaltender Daniela Paniccia. Oakville (8-12-4) will not play another league game until Friday, Jan. 24, when it is home to the Barrie Sharks. Minor Ball Hockey In Oakville 9TH SEASON WITH 650+PLAYERS AND OVER 40 TEAMS. Largest kids ball hockey program in the area with proper age groups for ages 3 to 20 years old. GAMES PLAYED IN LOCAL ARENAS Members of the Ontario Ball Hockey Association, the largest association in Canada Register in person at National Sports on Sunday January 26th from Noon until 2PM. Kids Minor Programs · Learn to Play Program for ages 3 to 6 years old for only $99 (Includes HST) · Programs for ages 7 to18 years old for only $155 (Includes HST) · Weekend games only and no practices · Season runs from April to the end of June · Try out for our Aces Select Provincial Team · 10 games minimum including our Championship Tournament · 19 & 20 year old Juvenile Division Sunday nights for only $155 (Includes HST) To register online or for more information Call 905-637-8118 Or Visit www.ballhockey4u.com