ESPN host suggests 'hypocrisy' when it comes to fighting in hockey

Team USA 4 Nations Face-Off GM Bill Guerin joins 'America's Newsroom' to discuss the United States clinching a spot in the championship game of the tournament by beating Canada in a heated game. 

ESPN anchor Molly Qerim alleged there was "hypocrisy" in the sport of hockey because fighting is allowed to a point where it is frowned upon and disciplined heavily in others. 

The "First Take" crew on Wednesday talked about the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off final between the U.S. and Canada. Radio legend Chris "Mad Dog" Russo teed off about the fighting that took place in their initial matchup – three brawls in nine seconds.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Molly Qerim on the red carpet before the NFL Honors show at Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas on Feb. 8, 2024. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

Qerim got the last word in.

"It's just interesting to me that certain sports, you're allowed to fight. And other sports, it could never happen," she said. "Optics! … Just a little hypocrisy."

It is unclear exactly what Qerim meant. While fights take place in men’s hockey quite often, they are policed. The men fighting receive five-minute major penalties, but the discipline rarely goes beyond that.

FAMED ‘MIRACLE ON ICE’ CAPTAIN PRAISES TEAM USA AHEAD OF 4 NATIONS FINAL VS CANADA: ‘BEST TEAM IN THE WORLD'

Sports commentator Molly Qerim speaks to the crowd during a live taping of ESPN's "First Take" at Florida A&M University's new Will Packer Performing Arts Amphitheater as part of the school's homecoming festivities on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021. (Tori Lynn Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Fighting is "not part" of the Professional Women’s Hockey League, according to its rules. The players who choose