Michael Smith notched a maiden hat-trick in Wednesday colours as his side emerged comfortable 3-0 winners at Shrewsbury.
Smith cemented his place at the top of the Owls’ scoring chart this season and proved too hot to handle for the Shrews.
But with Ipswich and Plymouth also victorious, it was a bitter-sweet afternoon as Wednesday’s automatic promotion hopes were dashed and that means the play-offs for Darren Moore’s men.
The Owls made the ideal start here at Montgomery Water Meadow, going ahead seven minutes in with a sublimely worked goal.
A swift move upfield from the back saw Smith play a clever give and go with Lee Gregory on the edge of the box before burying past Marko Marosi.
Wednesday looked in confident mood, as evidenced when Barry Bannan unleashed a fierce drive from range that Marosi tipped over the bar.
Shrewsbury enjoyed a mini purple patch midway through the first half and the returning Michael Ihiekwe expertly thwarted Christian Saydee after a goalmouth melee.
Smith went close at the other end as the Owls wrestled back control, limiting the home side to little in the final third.
And after Gregory went close straight after the restart, they duly doubled the advantage two minutes in. Marvin Johnson stood up an accurate cross for Smith, who planted a firm header in the top corner beyond the despairing Marosi.
Will Vaulks forced Marosi into a smart save moments later as Wednesday looked to put the contest to bed.
The Shrews battled gamely on and Luke Leahy clipped the woodwork from a rare attack before normal service was resumed and Smith concluded his treble.
Racing on to a trademark threaded Bannan through-ball, Smith advanced to pick his spot past Marosi to put the points beyond doubt.
Wednesday: Dawson, Adeniran (Bakinson 75), Iorfa, Ihiekwe (Flint 75), Palmer (Brown 88) Johnson, Vaulks, Bannan (Windass 88), Paterson, Gregory, Smith (Dele-Bashiru 84)