One is the magic number for the Edmonton Rush.

In the NLL's first all-Canadian matchup in a Champions Cup against the Toronto Rock, Edmonton has a one-game lead as they look to win their first title in franchise history.

But there is one other number that is also on their mind as they prepare to host Game 2 of the best-of-three series on Crystal Glass Field at Northlands.

Just how many will be in the stands will be just as important as the outcome of the game, which could see the Rush put a cap on their 10th NLL season by hoisting the Cup at home. The unfortunate reality of the situation is, it might also be the last time the Rush ever play in Edmonton.

The last seven of those years saw the average attendance at home games fall from 10,815 a game to just 6,578 this season. That's a decrease of 39%.

Worse still, their lease at Rexall Place is up at the end of the season. And with the future of that arena up in the air given the construction on the new one downtown, the Rush may indeed find themselves homeless as of midnight Friday.

Amazingly, should they finally reach indoor lacrosse's version of the Holy Grail, they may very well be left with nowhere to put it.

They aren't going quietly either, as was made obvious with the all-too public and completely unproductive exchange initiated by Rush owner Bruce Urban toward Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson smack dab in the middle of the Rush's playoff series against the Calgary Roughnecks.

Somehow, the team deflected the shrapnel to win the West Division final to become its representative in the championship round, where they put together a commanding performance to beat the Rock 15-9 in Game 1.

So, while the Rock are the ones coming in behind a game in the series, it's the Rush who are in every bit as much of a do-or-die scenario.

The organization stated on their website, edmontonrush.com, on Thursday afternoon that they are hoping for an attendance in the range of 9-10,000.

In the end, however, it doesn't matter how close ticket office gets. The coaches players still have the same task ahead of them.

“It's never easy against a good team,” said Rush head coach and GM Derek Keenan. “We're focused on the process and not the end result.

“We're playing a veteran team here with a ton of veteran experience when it comes to winning championships. We're going to really dial it in on the process and let the end game be what it may be.”

On the flip side, the Rock are 5-0 this season in games after a loss, and won their only visit to Edmonton in the regular season, 16-15, on Feb. 27.

“I thought we got outplayed last week by Edmonton,” said Rock owner and president Jamie Dawick, whose squad downed the three-time-defending champion Rochester Knighthawks to reach these finals. “It's very different going on the road versus being at home. Their backs are against the wall, there's no room for error now.”

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RUSH GO

Toronto Rock (14-4, first in East) at Edmonton Rush (13-5, first in West)

Edmonton leads best-of-three series 1-0

Friday, June 5

Crystal Glass Field at Northlands, 7:30 p.m.

Game broadcast: TSN1/4

COMING IN:

EDM — Edmonton is one win away from hoisting their first-ever Champions Cup following Saturday's 15-9 win over the Rock in the Air Canada Centre.

TOR — Looking for what would be an NLL-record seventh championship, the Rock need a win on Crystal Glass Field at Northlands to force Game 3 on June 13.

WHO TO WATCH:

EDM — Mark Matthews, F

Who else, really? The premiere player in the NLL sits first overall with 19 playoff points

TOR — Brandon Miller, G

As Rush goalie Aaron Bold's girlfriend and lifemate Michelle Fines was diagnosed with cancer this season, the Rock goalie sadly lost his brother, former Team Canada player Kyle Miller, to cancer in 2013.

NOTABLES:

Edmonton played in the Champions Cup finals just once before, falling to the Rochester Knighthawks in 2012 ... In Game 1 of this year's series, the Rush led the Rock 16-13 in faceoffs, 80-69 in loose balls ... After starting out 1-3 against the East Division this season, the Rush have won their last four straight inter-division games ... Since losing their first seven visits to the Air Canada Centre as a franchise, the Rush have won their last four straight in Toronto, with their largest margin of victory coming in Saturday's six-point victory ... The Rock hold a historic advantage, 11-9, in games against the Rush.