s largely ineffective late on a day he finished with seven

LAS VEGAS -- The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has denied the Vegas Golden Knights trademark application a little more than two weeks after the new NHL franchise unveiled its name and logo.The office cites potential confusion with the team name for the College of Saint Rose in New York, which is also the Golden Knights. The Las Vegas franchise is set to take the ice next season.NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league will formally respond by a June 7 deadline outlining why it believes the name should be registered in co-existence with that of Saint Rose just as a number of other nicknames currently co-exist in professional and college sports (particularly where there is no overlap as to the sport for which the nickname is being used).We consider this a routine matter and it is not our intention to reconsider the name or logo of this franchise, Daly said Wednesday. We fully intend to proceed as originally planned, relying on our common law trademark rights as well as our state trademark registrations while we work through the process of addressing the question raised in the federal applications.David Alexander, assistant athletic director for communications at the College of Saint Rose, said the schools trademark was registered in 2004. He declined to say how the college would react if the NHL franchise continued to pursue its application to use the nickname.Its only the first period, I dont want to get too far ahead, Alexander said.Saint Rose does not have a hockey team.We have a registered trademark. We love the name, Alexander said. Fifteen years ago we redesigned the logo and wanted a trademark to specifically protect our brand. The logo represents the spirit of the school.The patent office said the similarities were too many to overlook.In this case, the marks are identical in part, sharing the same dominant wording and overall commercial impression, it said in denying the application. The nature of the applicants and registrants services is similar; both offer sports entertainment of a kind available in the same venues, broadcast on television, and are generally available to the same class of consumers. Accordingly, the examining attorney concludes that there is a likelihood of confusion between the applicants and registrants marks.The team told Sports Illustrated it found the patent office decision not at all unusual and said the official response would be crafted with help of legal counsel .Clarkson University in northern New York has a Division I hockey team nicknamed the Golden Knights. The school has not trademarked the name, and Kelly Chezum, vice president for external relations, said the college entered into a peaceful coexistent agreement with the owner of the new NHL team in Las Vegas earlier this year. Chezum said she knew there was a possibility of questions regarding the nickname and took a proactive stance.---AP Sports Writer John Kekis contributed to this report. Larry Bird Celtics Jersey . A knee to the thigh might have stung him the most, but his sixth straight double-double made up for the brief burst of pain. Bill Russell Celtics Jersey . Dusautoir, the former World Player of the Year, sustained a torn bicep playing for Toulouse in the Heineken Cup on Saturday. The flanker, who has played 65 times for France, is expected to be out for up to four months. http://www.celticssale.com/kids-paul-pierce-celtics-jersey/ . 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PITTSBURGH -- On the road in one of the toughest places to play no matter whos at quarterback for the hosts, the New England Patriots never trailed in a 27-16 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.And still, it wasnt nearly good enough for Tom Brady.Not that it ever is.Though New Englands control of the game was only sporadically threatened, what struck Brady the most were the missed opportunities. The two dropped passes on third downs in the first half that cut drives short. The two fumbles that gave the Steelers possession in New England territory. The lack of any downfield passing game to someone not named Rob Gronkowski.Our execution, when it was good we made a lot of good plays, Brady said. I think there were self-inflicted wounds that really hurt us. Its still really good to come in here and get the win.One that left little doubt about where the balance of power lies in the AFC as the season reaches its midway point.New England (6-1) remained perfect since Bradys return from his four-game Deflategate suspension. He improved to 9-2 all-time against Pittsburgh even on a day when he wasnt as sharp as he would have liked.Then again, the standards are pretty high. Bradys thrown 26 touchdowns against just three interceptions when facing the Steelers. While Pittsburgh pressured him at times, the Steelers failed to record a sack and twice let the 39-year-old scramble for first downs. Yes, really.I feel like we definitely had some hits on him, Steelers linebacker Arthur Moats said. When youve got Brady back there running around, thats a good sign but weve got to get him on the ground.Or any other important Patriot for that matter. Brady threw for 222 yards with two scores, LeGarrette Blount finished with 127 yards and two touchdowns of his own and Gronkowski added his 68th career touchdown reception to tie Stanley Morgan for the most in club history.Were looking like garbage right now, Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier said. This is terrible right now.Not so much in New England, which responded emphatically whenever the Steelers made a push. Just like always.It was ... good to make plays in the second half when we needed to, Brady said. They certainly made it tough for us.LANDRYS LAUNCHPittsburgh backup quarterback Landry Jones played well at times while filling in for injured Ben Roethlisberger, who wore sweats on the sideline over his surgically repaired left knee and offered wwhat advice he could.ddddddddddddWhile Jones wasnt perfect while completing 27 of 49 passes for 281 yards with a touchdown and an interception in his third career start , he was hardly the only reason the Steelers (4-3) dropped their second straight and fell to 11-10 in games not started by Roethlisberger since 2004.The bigger issue for the Steelers wasnt Jones but an inability to stop the Patriots when it mattered and too many miscues in the red zone. The Steelers crossed the goal line just once, had a touchdown called back due to a penalty and watched normally reliable kicker Chris Boswell miss two field goals.BLOUNTS RETURNBlount received a loud chorus of boos during his first touch in the first quarter, a reminder of the ill will he generated when the Steelers cut him two years ago for insubordination . He had the last laugh, ripping off 74 yards in the second half alone to prevent Pittsburgh from focusing exclusively on Brady.To see him come in, run the ball super hard downhill, its just awesome, Gronkowski said of Blount.INJURIESPatriots: escaped Pittsburgh largely unharmed, good news as they prepare for a visit to Buffalo next week. The Bills beat the Patriots 16-0 on Oct. 2, a game Brady missed while serving his suspension.Steelers: Wide receiver Antonio Brown left briefly in the third quarter with a left quadriceps injury but returned, though he was largely ineffective late on a day he finished with seven receptions for 106 yards.WELCOME BREAKPittsburgh is off next week, a much-needed respite for a team that had five regular contributors unavailable on Sunday due to injury. Its uncertain when Roethlisberger may return, though Pittsburgh is hopeful to have defensive end Cam Heyward (hamstring) and right tackle Marcus Gilbert (ankle) back when it visits Baltimore on Nov. 6.Regardless of what happens during the bye, the Steelers will still have at least a share of first place in the AFC North when they face the Ravens. For now, thats little solace.It you want to look at the records thats nice, wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey said. I guess the team that wins the division goes to the playoffs but after that loss I cant really think about that. Weve got to get better, get healthy.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '