In-Line Hockey World Championships

WHAT: The second annual In-Line Hockey World Championships, sanctioned by the International Ice Hockey Federation and the National Hockey League

WHEN: July 17-25

WHERE: Disney ICE, the Mighty Ducks’ twin-rink facility in Anaheim, will host 39 of 44 games, with the championship bracket semifinals and fifth-place, third-place and championship games at the Pond of Anaheim.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: United States, which defeated Canada, 13-5, in the championship game last August in St. Paul, Minn. The U.S. swept six games, outscoring opponents, 105-29.

HOME TEAM: Roy Sommer, an assistant coach with the San Jose Sharks of the NHL, returns to coach the U.S., which will include seven players from last year’s champions. The roster includes: Bullfrogs defenseman Joe Cook; two other Roller Hockey International players, San Jose goaltender Joe Bonvie and Blades defenseman Scott Drevitch; Jeff Nelson, who tied for the team lead in scoring in the 1996 tournament with six goals and 17 assists; Jay Murphy, named the outstanding forward in the ’96 championships; and 35-year-old forward Brian Mullen, who scored 260 goals in 11 seasons in the NHL.

BIG POND, SMALL POND: The two pools for preliminary play are weighted, with the world’s top six ranked teams in Group A (including the top-ranked U.S., Canada, Finland, Germany, Russia and Switzerland) and the next six in Group B (Italy, Czech Republic, Austria, Australia, Japan and The Netherlands). Following round-robin pool play, the first-place team from Group B will join the top five teams from Group A in the championship bracket, while the last place team in Group A will drop into a relegation playoff with the remaining five teams.

HOW TO SEE IT: Tickets are available at Ticketmaster outlets and at the Pond. Tickets for games at Disney ICE are $8 for adults and $4 for ages 12 and under, per day. Pond prices range from $6-$18 for adults and $2-$14 for ages 12 and under, with passes for the entire tournament priced at $42 and $32, respectively; for information, call (714) 704-2723.

WARMING UP: The U.S. will face Russia in an exhibition game at 6 p.m. on July 16--the day before the opening of the tournament--at the Circuit Skate Center in Fountain Valley. For information, call (714) 432-0200.

THE SCHEDULE

July 17

Austria vs. Czech Republic 12:30 p.m.

Finland vs. Germany 1:30

Japan vs. Australia 3:30

Russia vs. Germany 4:30

Netherlands vs. Italy 6:30

United States vs. Switzerland 7:30

July 18

Italy vs. Japan 12:30 p.m.

Switzerland vs. Finland 1:30

Austria vs. Netherlands 3:30

Germany vs. Canada 4:30

Australia vs. Czech Republic 6:30

United States vs. Russia 7:30

July 19

Italy vs. Australia 12:30 p.m.

Finland vs. Russia 1:30

Czech Republic vs. Netherlands 3:30

Canada vs. Switzerland 4:30

Japan vs. Austria 6:30

United States vs. Germany 7:30

July 20

Netherlands vs. Australia 12:30 p.m.

Switzerland vs. Russia 1:30

Austria vs. Italy 3:30

Germany vs. Finland 4:30

Japan vs. Czech Republic 6:30

United States vs. Canada 7:30

July 21

Netherlands vs. Japan 12:30 p.m.

Switzerland vs. Germany 1:30

Australia vs. Austria 3:30

Russia vs. Canada 4:30

Czech Republic vs. Italy 6:30

United States vs. Finland 7:30

July 23

Relegation bracket quarterfinals Noon and 3 p.m.

Championship bracket quarterfinals 4:30 and 7:30

July 24 at Disney ICE

11th-place game Noon

Relegation bracket semifinals 3 and 6 p.m.

July 24 at the Pond of Anaheim

Fifth-place game 1:30 p.m.

Championship bracket semifinals 4:30 and 7:30

July 25 at Disney ICE

Ninth-place game Noon

Seventh-place game 3 p.m.

July 25 at the Pond of Anaheim

Third-place game 4:30 p.m.

Championship game 7:30