Thrashers' Lehtonen has second back surgery

ATLANTA (AP) Atlanta Thrashers goaltender Kari Lehtonen is expected to miss six to eight weeks after a second surgery on his back.

Lehtonen has not played this season after having surgery on July 20 to repair a herniated disc.

The Thrashers said on Wednesday the Finn had another surgery last Friday in Rochester, New York to remove edges of bone that were applying pressure to nerve roots in his back at two locations.

With Lehtonen missing the start of the season, 22-year-old Ondrej Pavelec of the Czech Republic has a 5-1-3 record as Atlanta's starting goaltender.

Updated November 4, 2009