The 2005 NCAA National Collegiate Women's Ice Hockey Tournament involved eight schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of women's NCAA Division I college ice hockey.

The highest four seeds were invited to host first round competition for the right to advance to the Frozen Four.

The expanded field also allowed for the creation of auto-bids for each of the four conferences in Division I women's hockey at the time.

From 2006 forward, both teams losing semi-final games were awarded third place.

The at-large bids, along with the seeding for each team in the tournament, were announced on Sunday, March 13.