Pens Fans Use Twitter To Organize Game Gathering

The newest social networking site is bringing together millions of people with common interests, including Pittsburgh Penguins fans.

Wednesday night, about 70 fans met at the TGI Fridays in Robinson Township to watch the first playoff game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Fans call the event a “Tweetup,” when an organizer uses Twitter to spread the word about a game-night get-together.

Twitter is an online community that allows users to keep in touch by posting short messages with 140 characters or less.

Many who attended tonight’s Tweetup had never met in person, only connected through Twitter.

One fan said, “A lot of us talk to each other online during the day but never get a chance to meet each other face to face and watch Pens' hockey.”

During the game, fans kept their cell phones handy to discuss plays, penalties and fights on Twitter.

Tweetups took place in 21 cities for the first NHL playoff game, and Pittsburgh drew in the second largest crowd, following only New York City.