The Bison women's hockey team (regular season: 19-5-3-1; playoffs: 6-1) are the No. 1 seed at the 2018 U SPORTS Championship at Western University in London, ON from March 15-18 and secured a 2-1 shootout win against the No. 4 seed Concordia Stingers (regular season: 14-4-2; playoffs: 5-3) in the semi final game on Saturday, March 17. 

2017-18 U SPORTS Coach of the Year Jon Rempel reflected after the exciting and thrilling win, "It was a helluva game and both teams went at it. This team stuck with it and got stronger throughout the game. There is relief about getting it done today and looking forward to playing for a championship."

Manitoba will now play in the championship final game on Sunday, March 18 at 3 p.m. CT against the host and No. 3 seed Western Mustangs. The Herd has never faced Western at a U SPORTS Women's Hockey Championship.

The Bisons seek first national championship in their sixth appearance. Manitoba had not played the 2018 RSEQ (Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec) champions this season and only met them once during the national championship (1-0 Bison win over Concordia in 2005) until this contest.

Manitoba last earned a nationals berth in 2011 and finished sixth. The Herd had a fourth place finish in 2009. The program best showing is three bronze medal finishes at U SPORTS Nationals. In 2008, Manitoba was third and again was third place in 2007. In the first national appearance for the Herd in 2005, Manitoba also placed third. 

This is the first time the Bisons have been the No. 1 seed at the U SPORTS Women's Hockey Championship in their sixth appearance. Manitoba highest previous seed at the Nationals was third during the last visit in 2011 and also third seed in 2009. Manitoba was the sixth seed in 2007 and also in 2008 was sixth seed in first appearance in 2005.

Eight teams compete for the 2018 U SPORTS women's hockey title. There are two representatives from Canada West – No. 1 seed Manitoba and No. 7 seed Saskatchewan; two representatives from OUA – No. 3 seed Western and No. 8 seed Queen's and while two representatives from RSEQ  – No. 4 seed Concordia and No. 6 seed Montreal plus two representatives from AUS  – No. 2 seed Saint Mary's and No. 5 seed StFX.

2018 U SPORTS Women's Hockey Championship seeding:
1. Manitoba
2. Saint Mary's
3. Western
4. Concordia
5. StFX
6. Montreal
7. Saskatchewan
8. Queen's

Thursday, March 15 – Quarter-finals (all times are Central Time)
3 p.m. No. 7 Saskatchewan 3 No. 2 Saint Mary's 2
6 p.m. No. 3 Western 4 No. 6 Montreal 0

Friday, March 16 – Quarter-finals (all times are Central Time)
3 p.m. No. 1 Manitoba 4 No. 8 Queen's 0
6 p.m. No. 4 Concordia 8 No. 5 StFX 1

Saturday, March 17 (all times are Central Time)
9 a.m. Consolation Semifinal #1: No. 6 Montreal 2 No. 2 Saint Mary's 1
12 p.m. Consolation Semifinal #2: No. 5 StFX 4 No. 8 Queen's 3 (OT)
3 p.m. Semifinal #1: No. 3 Western 2 No. 7 Saskatchewan 1
6 p.m. Semifinal #2: No. 1 Manitoba 2 No. 4 Concordia 1 (shootout)

Sunday, March 18 (all times are Central Time)
9 a.m. Consolation Final: No. 6 Montreal vs. No. 5 StFX
12 p.m. Bronze medal game: No. 7 Saskatchewan vs. No. 4 Concordia
3 p.m. Gold medal game: No. 1 Manitoba vs. No. 3 Western 

Bison women's hockey record in U SPORTS Championship (Manitoba with three bronze medal finishes)
Year    Final Results        Played at         Seed
2018   TBD                     Western           1st
2011    6th place             Wilfrid Laurier   3rd
2009    4th place             StFX                 3rd
2008    3rd place            Ottawa             5th
2007    3rd place            Ottawa             6th
2005    3rd place            McGill              6th