Lucas Makowsky of Regina smiles after a personal best time in the 1,500 on Saturday in Norway. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)

Canadian Lucas Makowsky captured a silver medal on the World Cup speedskating circuit Saturday in Hamar, Norway.

Makowsky established a personal best in the 1,500 metres with a time of one minute, 45.40 seconds for his first World Cup podium finish.

The Regina native led with just the final pairing to go, but the great Shani Davis of the United States skated to gold.

Davis, who has trained at the Calgary Oval, crossed in 1:44.27. Havard Bokko of Norway was third.

"It definitely feels good to be on the podium for the first time," said the 22-year-old Makowsky. "To skate a personal best here in Europe is pretty good.

"I didn't come into this season thinking, 'I'm going to win a World Cup medal."'

Makowsky vaulted past teammate Denny Morrison of Fort St. John, B.C., in the World Cup standings with the showing, and now has 134 points.

Morrison did not race on Saturday, but Montreal's Mathieu Giroux finished ninth, clocking 1:46.71.

Davis, Bokko and Mark Tuitert of the Netherlands are top three in the standings.

Makowsky will race again on Sunday in the 10,000, traditionally a stronger event for him.

"It's definitely a confidence-booster for tomorrow, but the 10k is a very different race from the 1,500," he said.

Canadians Clara Hughes and Kristina Groves picked up points in the women's 5,000 metres but finished off the podium.

Hughes of Winnipeg was fourth, one spot ahead of Ottawa's Groves.

Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic won with a time of 6:50.07.

Germans Stephanie Beckert and Daniela Anschuetz Thoms were second and third, respectively.

With files from The Canadian Press