The Bison women's hockey team (regular season: 19-5-3-1; playoffs: 7-1) were the No. 1 seed at the 2018 U SPORTS Championship at Western University in London, ON from March 15-18 and won 2-0 against the host and No. 3 seed Western Mustangs (regular season: 17-5-2; playoffs: 7-1) in the championship final game on Sunday, March 18.

The Bisons earned their first national championship in their sixth appearance plus first national championship in the 21 year program's history.

2017-18 U SPORTS Coach of the Year Jon Rempel stated after the championship, "This team had laser focus and thought their approach all year was on point and it paid off. We had outstanding control throughout the gold medal game and thought our second was one of the best periods we played all season. I thought the game was on our stick throughout and we played like we had played throughout the season."

Prior to the Final, The Herd had never faced Western, the 2018 OUA (Ontario University Athletics) at a U SPORTS Women's Hockey Championship.

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 was 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.

There were eight teams competing 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 7 No. 5 StFX 1
12 p.m. Bronze medal game: No. 4 Concordia 4 No. 7 Saskatchewan 2
3 p.m. Gold medal game: No. 1 Manitoba 2 No. 3 Western 0

Bison women's hockey record in U SPORTS National Championship (Manitoba with one gold medal and three bronze medal finishes)
Year     Final Results   Played at          Seed
2018    1^st place         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