out of curiousity, are you gonna wait until the winter/snowy season is over before you go back to clipless? i'm debating putting clips 'n straps back on for the winter. slipping on ice is a lot more difficult clipless, although much more comedic when you slide down the street on your ass dragging your bike behind you.
also, i can hockeystop clipless juuuust fine. same with 180 skids. if you can, i'd upgrade from SPD's though.