I'm not qualified to comment on BEagle's comments, otherwise I tend to agree with Miserlou on the manner in which this aircraft was operated.
An ATR's anti- and de-icing system is very good, when operated in accordance with the FCOM. In particular, when in heavy ice-accreting conditions, the first thing you don't do is sit there waiting while it builds up and up. The second thing you don't do is leave the autopilot in to struggle more and more.
The laser system is, IMO, unneccesary. The ATR's ice detection system works very well, as do the phased boots. I can't comment on the different stall angles under icing conditions, but I've never noticed such a phenomenon in the sim.