NEW YORK -- It appears the mediation route will not spell the end of the lockout.

The NHL and NHL Players' Association met for the second straight day Thursday but gained no traction in brokering a new collective bargaining agreement through the use of a federal mediator.

"After spending several hours with both sides over two days, the presiding mediators concluded the parties remained far apart, and that no progress toward a resolution could be made through further mediation at this point in time. We are disappointed that the mediation process was not successful," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said.

The league and union accepted an invitation from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services earlier this week to try to resolve the differences dividing the two sides, but they remain too far apart on the key issues. Thursday's session, which a source confirmed was held in Woodbridge, N.J., broke off around 4 p.m. ET.

"This afternoon, the mediators informed the parties that they did not think it was productive to continue the discussions further today," Fehr said in a statement. "The mediators indicated that they would stay in contact with the league and the NHLPA, and would call the parties back together when they thought the time was right."

There are no more mediation sessions scheduled and the two sides are unlikely to continue exploring this option for future negotiations, two sources said.