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Today is the day the gold medal hockey game (USA vs. Canada) is being played. There’s also a NASCAR race on about that same time, and many college and basketball games being played across the country.

Actually attending these events is still considered the pinnacle experience for the sports fan. Beyond that, HDTV has made sports bars (and Best Buy) a lot of money.

But for many, the combination of their own HDTV and Twitter is their new favorite way to watch the “big game.” Now—sitting alone in your favorite chair—you can discuss the game with dozens of sports fans, just like you were at the game or sharing a beer at your favorite sports bar.

And it’s not just hearing the insights of your fellow fans that make it interesting. So many players, coaches, commentators, and fantasy gurus also are active Twitter users that you can feel like an “insider” if you follow the right people. And while much of what they say can be as mundane as what is said on TV or radio, there are moments of glory—such as both the New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons announcing their NFL Draft first-round picks on Twitter before handing the names over to Roger Goodell for the on-air (ESPN) announcement. Want the complete listing of players on Twitter? Head to Sportsin140.com.

According to SportsIllustrated.CNN.com, PGA Tour golfer Stewart Cink has over 280,000 followers on Twitter—and is not even ranked among the Top 20 in worldwide rankings. So why does he have such a huge online gallery? He can’t explain it either. “I respect and am grateful to everybody choosing to listen to the b.s. that I’ve put on Twitter.”

But following sports celebrities allows fans to have some connection with them, to give their favorite players a real personality beyond the sound bites, and develops fan loyalty.

Every major sports league now has its own Twitter page and following. And here’s an idea whose time has apparently come: Twackle.com labels itself as, “Your Sportsbar in the Twittersphere,” capturing all sports-related tweets in one place.

Twitter has found its niche for everything live: breaking news like disasters and killer whale attacks, awards ceremonies, presidential addresses, and yes—even Cleveland Browns games.