For the second consecutive night, Thousand Islands Privateers coach Paul Kelly wasn’t pleased with his team’s start and let them know about it.

After challenging his players early in the game, Thousand Islands responded by scoring four goals in the second period and went on to roll past the Williamsport Outlaws, 7-3, in the Federal Hockey League on Saturday before an announced turnout of 724 at the Watertown Municipal Arena.

“This was a good weekend for us,” Adam McAllister said. “But we started out slow and we were sloppy and coach Kells sure let us know about it. My line, especially me and Greener, we’re the leaders and we need to lead. We didn’t do that well enough in the first period, so it was good to get it done in the second.”

Chris Greene and Brent Tamane each scored two goals and Justin MacDonald recorded four assists for the Privateers (2-0), who have won the franchise’s first two games in Watertown since its move from Alexandria Bay.

“We definitely came out flat there,” said Greene, who also had two assists. “We have to come out and play harder at the star. But we had a good talk there and we came out and responded in the second period,so that’s positive. When things aren’t going well, you’ve got to simplify your game and go from there.”

With the game scoreless, Kelly called a timeout just seven minutes into the game and read his team the riot act.

After Greene scored on a wrister 14:38 into the period to put Thousand Islands up for good, Kelly had more words for his team during the first intermission.

“After that start, we were fortunate to get that goal,” Kelly said. “Then I challenged the boys after the period because we needed some leadership from the older guys and even the younger guys stepped up. They rose to the challenge and accepted it and obviously we went on from there.”

The Privateers took this constructive criticism to heart and erupted for four goals within a span of 11 1/2 minutes in the middle period.

“That first goal was good for us and provided a little spark,” McAllister said. “But when we came back in the (dressing) room, we regrouped as a team and took it from there.”

Greene assisted on Jordan Bernier’s goal, as the forward scored on a blast from the top of the left faceoff circle at 3:20. McAllister followed by knocking a MacDonald rebound past goalie Chris Whitley at 5:55 for a 3-0 advantage.

“The guys know we’re a really good team when we’re moving our feet,” Kelly said. “If we’re not moving and we’re watching and just sitting back, we’re not a very good team. But give them credit, they really turned it around in the second period.”

After Williamsport broke through on Robert Sich’s goal at 10:52, the Privateers struck for two goals within the next 1:01 by scoring on consecutive shots.

Nikolas Temple scored on a slapshot from the right point and Tamane followed with his first goal at 14:44 to build a 5-1 lead and the rout was on.

Peter Campbell notched three assists for Thousand Islands and Bernier and McAllister each finished with a goal and two assists.

Goalie Matt Anthony made 37 saves, including denying Trevor Karasiewicz on a penalty shot in the third period, to register his second win in as many nights.

Williamsport, which plays and practices at an outdoor rink situated at the stadium of the city’s minor-league baseball team, remained winless on the season with its fourth loss in four nights.

“This is a rough start for us,” Williamsport coach Chris Firriolo said. “We lost a game (Friday) night that we should have won — we were up 3-1 going into the third period and we lost in overtime.”

nNOTES: The Privateers are tied for first place with Dayton (2-0) and Danbury (2-1). ... Thousand Islands didn’t allow a power-play goal from three Williamsport opportunities and have killed off nine man-advantages its faced over the two games. ... The Privateers hit the road next week with four games, including two at Danville next Friday and Saturday.

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