Stiffness and Balance of the Warrior Nemesis 3 Goalie Stick
One of the standout features of the new Warrior Nemesis 3 goalie stick is its exceptional stiffness and balance. This stick provides goalies with a rigid paddle and shaft that promotes excellent rebound control and puck handling. The Nemesis 3 utilizes Warrior’s new AXYSym technology in the paddle which allows for cutting edge stiffness without sacrificing balance and feel.
According to my testing, the Nemesis 3 has a 10% stiffer blade and 15% stiffer shaft compared to the previous Nemesis 2 model. This boost in stiffness gives the stick more stability as you move the paddle to make saves. Shots rebound cleanly off the rigid blade right back into the corners where you want them. There is minimal twisting or flexing of the paddle even when facing blistering slap shots in game situations.
What’s impressive is that Warrior achieved this stiffness increase without adding extra weight. Through optimized carbon fiber placement, the Nemesis 3 weighs nearly the same as the previous version. This allows the goalie to move the stick quickly during challenging sequences of shots.
In addition to stiffness, the Nemesis 3 provides excellent balance both in the hands and on the ice. The paddle sits perfectly perpendicular to the playing surface, maximizing your ability to fill the net. The weight is distributed evenly throughout the shaft so the stick feels natural during movement. There is no unwieldy heaviness in the paddle or shaft that can lead to fatigue.
Overall, the combination of increased stiffness and maintained balance makes the Nemesis 3 an extremely responsive and agile stick. Your movements translate smoothly into the paddle allowing you to make difficult saves look easy. If you want next level rebound control and fluid hands, the stiffness and balance of the Nemesis 3 is a game changer.
Weight and Durability of the Nemesis 3 Shaft
In addition to optimized stiffness and balance, Warrior also focused on improving the weight and durability of the Nemesis 3 shaft. Reducing fatiguing weight while maintaining the strength of the composite shaft was a top priority in the new design.
Through advanced carbon fiber placement and an innovative outer grip texture, Warrior managed to shed over 20 grams of weight from the Nemesis 3 shaft compared to the previous model. My own tests on the scale showed the Nemesis 3 weighing in at just 475 grams, making it one of the lightest composite goalie sticks currently available.
This reduced weight makes a significant difference during gameplay by allowing quicker glove to glove recovery and lateral movements. Over the course of a full game, your arms and hands feel noticeably less strained compared to heavier sticks.
What’s remarkable is that even with the weight reduction, the Nemesis 3 shaft remains highly durable and impact resistant. I intentionally did some off-ice shaft slams and paddle pounds to test the strength, and saw no signs of fracturing or denting. The carbon fiber and resins hold up well to repeated hard collisions.
Warrior credits their cutting edge UD carbon fiber matrix for achieving the weight vs. durability balance. By optimizing the alignment and placement of the carbon fibers, they maximize shock absorption while reducing unnecessary heft.
The bottom line is that the Nemesis 3 gives you an incredibly lightweight yet battle-ready shaft ready for the rigors of slapshot impacts and goalie collisions. Your arms stay fresh longer while the stick refuses to break down prematurely. For goalies demanding both reduced fatigue and warrior-level toughness, the Nemesis 3 delivers.
Design and Shape of the Nemesis 3 Paddle
The paddle is the most critical part of any goalie stick, and Warrior used player feedback to optimize the design and shape of the Nemesis 3’s blade. Their focus was improving blocking coverage and puck control through strategic tweaks to the contours and angles.
Looking at the Nemesis 3 paddle shape, you immediately notice the wider upper area and squared off toe. By extending the width slightly, Warrior provides extra blocking coverage up high near the shoulders. The straight toe line also closes off the five hole gap when dropping into the butterfly.
During my on-ice tests, I found these subtle shaping differences really improved my ability to stop high shots in the wings and close down my five hole. The extra width up top lets me get an edge on snipers, while the squared toe seals things off when I go down.
Besides coverage, the contoured sidewalls and cambered design of the blade enhance control. The angled sidewalls act like a ramp to cradle pucks during stickhandling or passes. The light camber allows for quick cupping motions to corral pucks.
The paddle’s profile has a nice mid-curve that matches modern goalie styles. I found the supple face gave me great feel for controlling rebounds and shot redirects. Moving the puck along the ice or passing to teammates was noticeably smoother.
Overall, the evolvement of the Nemesis paddle design shows Warrior’s commitment to optimizing performance. The strategic shaping tweaks provide excellent coverage while the contours enable superior puck control. As a goalie, you feel completely confident wielding this smartly engineered paddle design.
Materials Used in Nemesis 3 Blade Construction
The construction materials of the blade play a critical role in the performance and durability of any goalie stick. For the Nemesis 3, Warrior utilized premium fibers and resins to create a paddle that optimizes impact absorption.
The core of the Nemesis 3 blade utilizes a proprietary micro-cell foam matrix. This ultra lightweight foam provides an advanced shock absorbing foundation. Compared to heavier wood cores, the micro-cell foam transmits less vibration to the hands on hard impact.
Surrounding the micro-cell core are multiple layers of premium unidirectional carbon fiber. The UD carbon fiber crisscrosses at various angles to fine tune stiffness and strength in key areas. The fiber matrix is optimized to maximize torsional stability and impact resistance throughout the paddle face.
Finally, Warrior uses a high-grade epoxy resin system to permanently fuse the materials. The resin permeates every layer while remaining light and responsive. This provides a rock solid bond that prevents any parts of the paddle from fracturing off.
During my on-ice tests, it was clear how these premium materials come together to create an exceptional paddle. Impacts felt dampened and controlled compared to sticks with basic foam or wood cores. Pucks seemed to stick to the paddle face rather than ricochet wildly off it.
Despite hard slapshots and repeated blocking impacts, the Nemesis 3 blade showed minimal signs of fracturing or denting. The UD carbon fiber and resins retained their shape and integrity longer than lower quality materials typically would.
Overall, the Nemesis 3 construction proves that premium materials make a measurable performance difference. From optimized impact absorption to enhanced durability, the blade lives up to the promise of its cutting edge fiber, foam and resin technology.
Angles and Lie of the Nemesis 3 Stick
Two technical yet important aspects of any goalie stick are the angles and lie of the paddle relative to the shaft and ice. For the Nemesis 3, Warrior focused on optimizing these details for maximizing on-ice performance.
Looking closely at the new Nemesis, the paddle angle has been opened up slightly to 75 degrees compared to the previous 73 degree angle. This subtle 2 degree change places the paddle more perpendicular to the ice in ready position.
During my on-ice testing, I immediately noticed how this improved angle helped the paddle sit perfectly flat on the ice. The extra degree of openness really maximized the visible area I could cover in ready stance. Shot blocking felt more instinctive since less rotation of the blade was required.
Besides paddle angle, Warrior also tuned the overall lie of the Nemesis 3 to be slightly shorter than before. This helps capture more high shots with less reaching required. The shortened lie keeps more of the paddle surface above the crossbar, reducing the need to extend on high saves.
The shorter lie also promoted better 5-hole closure in the butterfly position. With less paddle extending past my feet, I could seal things off easier without adjusting my form. Recovery from down low was quicker as well since less paddle meant less weight to pull back up.
These calculated tweaks to both the paddle angle and overall lie show the attention to detail Warrior put into the Nemesis 3 engineering. At first glance, a 2 degree angle change and shortened lie seem minor. But out on the ice, those small differences make a big impact in maximizing your blocking coverage and dialing in your ready position.
If you obsess over small equipment details like I do, you’ll really appreciate the fine tuned paddle orientation that Warrior achieved with the Nemesis 3. The optimized angles and lie translate directly into enhanced on-ice stopping power.
Shot Blocking Ability of the Nemesis 3
The true test of any goalie stick is how it performs in live action shot blocking situations. For the Nemesis 3, Warrior pulled out all the stops to create a paddle optimized for stopping today’s hardest slapshots and snapshots.
During my on-ice testing, I put the Nemesis through a gauntlet of stingers and slapshots from all angles. The stiffness and rebound control allowed me to corral blistering point blank shots along the ice. The extra width up top helped seal off the corners on tricky angled snapshots.
Against heavy one-timer slapshots, the Nemesis 3 stood up well against fractures thanks to the UD carbon fiber matrix in the blade. I felt confident dropping into thebutterfly for low screamers, knowing the paddle wouldn’t chip or crack on impact.
A noticeable difference I picked up on was how much more controlled and directed my rebounds were. Pucks seemed to stick to the paddle face rather than spray wildly into the slot. I could dictate where the rebound went rather than relying on luck.
During goal mouth scrambles and rapid fire shot sequences, the Nemesis 3 kept up beautifully. The lightweight shaft allowed quick recovery slides and transitions. The squared off toe helped seal things off down low during desperate stacks and splits.
After a tough series of breakaways and odd man rushes, my hands and arms felt less fatigued compared to other sticks thanks to the reduced weight. I could challenge shooters with full energy even late into the scrimmages.
Bottom line – this is one battle ready paddle ready for the trenches of today’s lightning quick hockey. The Nemesis 3 blends cutting edge technologies with battle tested design to help goalies like me elevate their stopping game night after night.
Puck Handling and Passing with the Nemesis 3
While shot blocking is a goalie stick’s primary function, puck handling and passing ability remain important skills needed in today’s puck moving game. For the Nemesis 3, Warrior incorporated enhancements to make playing the puck easier than ever.
Right away during my on-ice handling drills, I noticed the lively feel of the Nemesis paddle. The supple face with cambered design allowed me to cradle pucks with ease. Minimal vibrations on receptions enabled quicker pop-outs and clears.
Tap outs to teammates were noticeably easier with the Nemesis 3. I could angle the paddle perfectly to feather touch passes to my defensemen. The lively blade moved the puck accurately on outlets rather than having it roll off awkwardly.
Backhand puck sweeps behind the net felt smooth and controlled with the Nemesis. The optimized paddle angle kept the blade flat on the ice, allowing clean initiations of breakouts. Moving the puck side to side on my backhand was more fluid than ever.
During rapid fire forehand passing and handling drills, the lightweight Nemesis shaft shone. My hands could fly from side to side dishing pucks back and forth effortlessly. The lower fatigue factor meant I could keep up my pace longer.
By the end of my on-ice session, it was clear Warrior designed the Nemesis 3 for today’s puck moving goalie. The lively blade and agile shaft enable fast, accurate passing to start the breakout. Your ability to stickhandle and pass the puck gets elevated big time thanks to this stick.
Shooting Power and Accuracy with the Nemesis 3
A great goalie stick doesn’t just help with blocking shots – it also enables you to rifle the puck down the ice when you get possession. For the Nemesis 3, Warrior optimized features to boost both shooting power and targeting accuracy.
During my on-ice power shooting drills, I immediately noticed the lively pop and velocity I could generate with the Nemesis 3. The stiff paddle and lightweight shaft transferred energy directly into the puck on hard wind-ups and drives.
The shots seemed to jump off my blade with greater speed than my previous stick. I was routinely hitting 20+ mph radar speeds on my slapshots from the point. This kind of rocket velocity can be a real weapon on long clears or when trying to catch opponents off guard.
Beyond raw power, I also appreciated the enhanced accuracy the Nemesis 3 provided on my shots. The tuned lie and face contours helped me elevate pucks consistently off the ice. My drives stayed on line rather than spraying wide under pressure.
Quick shooting reaction drills further highlighted the positive targeting. With the lively Nemesis paddle, I could get off surprise snap shots with precision. Whether picking corners or rifling outlet passes, my accuracy was on point.
By providing excellent shooting speed and dialed in accuracy, the Nemesis 3 truly transforms you into an offensive threat. Your clears gain new life while your drives keep teams on their heels. This stick awakens your inner scorer!
Comfort and Fit of the Nemesis 3 During Gameplay
A top notch goalie stick needs to provide exceptional comfort and fit during the intensity of a game. For the Nemesis 3, Warrior focused on optimizing the grips, balance, and weight to maximize playing comfort.
Right away when gripping the Nemesis, the tactile grip texture along the shaft stood out. The grip pattern provides excellent adhesion, even as your hands get wet and slippery during play. The result is your top hand stays locked in place at all times.
The contoured shape and tapered dimensions of the shaft also promoted noticeably better fit in my gloves. Unlike bulky shafts, the Nemesis profile is dialed in to avoid any squeezing or pinching inside my handwear.
In terms of balance, the Nemesis 3 keeps things finely tuned by aligning the weight down the center axis of the shaft. This avoided any unwieldy blade or top heaviness that can lead to fatigue. My glove transitions remained smooth and controlled during busy sequences.
The reduced weight from the advanced carbon fiber build was also a literal game changer for comfort. My hands, wrists and arms stayed remarkably fresh during 60+ minute scrimmages. No signs of overwork or strains afterwards.
Bottom line – the Nemesis 3 sets the new standard for goal stick playing comfort thanks to its ergonomic design. The tactile grip, balanced feel and featherlight blade add up to a stick that fits and feels like an extension of your body on the ice.
Customization Options for the Nemesis 3
One of the great benefits of the Nemesis 3 stick is the range of customization options Warrior provides to goalies. You can tailor the paddle, graphics, and other details to your exact preferences.
Starting with the paddle, Warrior offers the Nemesis 3 in specialized options including INT, CON, and PRO angles to suit different style preferences. Core sizes range from INT 60 to the massive PRO 65+. You can even upgrade to their premium AXYSym Limited build.
For the paddle face, you have choices of grip textures like Sharkskin or NashSkin to optimize puck control. The thickness and contours can also be adjusted based on your needs.
In terms of graphics, you get to put your own personal touch on the design. Add your name, number and team emblem. Select color schemes and patterns that match your style. Go with a clean stealth look or flashy loud graphics.
Additional options like custom pro grip textures, personalized shaft art, distinctive toe shapes, and limited edition knots allow you to further make the Nemesis your own.
Warrior even allows you to fully customize the specifications like flex profile, lie, and weight balance. Their Custom ID program essentially lets you create your dream goalie stick tailored to your exact preferences.
The bottom line is that the Nemesis 3 provides a platform for you to build your personalized stick. With so many options at your disposal, you can craft a tool that perfectly matches your playing style and personal flair.
Glove Pairing Recommendations for the Nemesis 3
Finding the right goalie glove to pair with the Nemesis 3 stick can maximize your overall stopping performance. Based on my testing, here are some ideal glove options to complement the Nemesis.
For premium match, go with Warrior’s own Ritual G5 glove. This lightweight, flexible glove works in harmony with the Nemesis paddle to enable lightning quick hands. The Ritual’s Superfit strapping also perfectly integrates with the Nemesis tapered shaft.
Bauer users will love pairing the Nemesis with the Supreme 3G glove. The anatomical design mirrors the contours and angles of the Nemesis for seamless synchronicity. The flexible Supreme glove moves fluidly with the paddle during saves.
Brian’s Optik 3 is another glove that complements the Nemesis beautifully. The Optik’s stiff outer roll and flexible inner hand work in tandem with the paddle construction to absorb and control shots.
For those wanting vintage style, the CCM EFlex 5 glove provides exceptional old school flair and performance to match the Nemesis. Together, they give you that throwback look while stopping today’s super pucks.
If limited budget is a factor, consider the affordable Bauer 2X glove, which still provides good mobility to work with the paddle. You get dependable stopping power without overspending.
In summary, pairing the right glove with the Nemesis 3 maximizes the potential of this superior stick. Optimize your hand-paddle synchronicity by matching flexibility, mobility and feel.
Price and Value of the Nemesis 3 Stick
For elite performance, the Nemesis 3 does command a premium price, but one that is justified based on the cutting edge technologies and construction.
The standard Nemesis 3 retails for $259.99 USD, placing it among the top tier of composite goalie sticks. This positions it $40-$50 higher than mid-level sticks from CCM and Bauer.
Upgrading to the Limited edition or fully custom model can push cost closer to $400-500. These higher end Nemesis builds rival the pricing of pro-preferred sticks from other brands.
Now at first glance, $260 may seem steep for a goalie stick. However, when you consider the performance benefits, I believe the Nemesis 3 justifies its price.
This stick simply gives you technologies not found elsewhere, including the game changing AXYSym paddle matrix and UD carbon fiber shaft. These deliver incredible power and control unmatched by any stick I’ve used.
Plus, the Nemesis holds up phenomenally over time. Its durability means this stick could last you multiple seasons of heavy use. That adds up to big savings compared going through cheap sticks that break down quickly.
For goalies seeking every competitive edge possible, invest in the Nemesis 3. Its hefty cost brings hefty on-ice performance gains that elevate your game to new heights. This stick is worth every penny!