The Owls and Cardiff shared four goals and the points from an entertaining clash in the Welsh capital.
And it was Wednesday who left the Cardiff City Stadium in higher spirits as Carlos Carvalhal’s men came from 2-0 behind to salvage a draw.
First half goals from Craig Noone and Anthony Pilkington put the Bluebirds in the driving seat but the visitors responded in the second period and levelled thanks to Fernando Forestieri and Barry Bannan.
The incentive for the Owls was a leapfrog over their hosts and into the top six but after a bright start, they suffered a double blow 20 minutes in.
First Sam Hutchinson succumbed to what appeared a hip knock, to be replaced by Alex Lopez, before Wednesday conceded a penalty when Keiren Westwood felled Tony Watt in the box.
Noone stepped up to execute perfectly from 12 yards.
That gave the Owls a jolt and just two minutes later, parity was almost restored with their clearest opening of the first half.
Liam Palmer sent a telling delivery into the danger zone, Lucas Joao applied the merest of touches, but the ball bounced back into play off the post.
Wednesday went on to enjoy more of the possession but were hit on the counter to their cost 11 minutes before the break.
A hopeful punt from the back from Joe Ralls was seized upon by Pilkington, who showed strength and pace to advance on goal and round Westwood to double the lead.
And it might have been even worse prior to the half time whistle as Watt had a golden chance to perhaps put the game out of sight but Westwood came to the Owls’ rescue with a fine low save when the odds were in the striker’s favour.
The next goal would be key and both sides came close after the restart – Forestieri from distance for Wednesday, while City’s Aron Gunnarsson fired just over the crossbar with a dipping volley.
Noone then jinked past two challenges and tried a clever chip that evaded both Westwood and the woodwork – before Wednesday got a foothold back into the contest on 62 minutes.
Little seemed on for Forestieri with his back to goal 20 yards out but the Italian swivelled and drilled a low screamer past the stunned David Marshall.
The Owls had the bit between their teeth and Bannan brushed the top of the net with a free kick with a warning shot that Cardiff did not heed.
With 14 minutes to go, Ross Wallace showed great awareness to pull back for the advancing Bannan, who smashed a fierce half volley across and beyond Marshall to equalise.
Cardiff hit back themselves and almost won it at the last, first through Watt who stabbed wide and then Noone saw a sweet strike superbly saved by Westwood.
Wednesday: Westwood, Palmer, Turner, Hutchinson (Lopez 20), Loovens, Joao (Nuhiu 90), Lee, Wallace, Pudil, Bannan, Forestieri